RANKL biology: bone metabolism, the immune system, and beyond

Receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) ligand (RANKL) induces the differentiation of monocyte/macrophage-lineage cells into the bone-resorbing cells called osteoclasts. Because abnormalities in RANKL, its signaling receptor RANK, or decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) lead to bone diseases such as osteopetrosis, the RANKL/RANK/OPG system is essential for bone resorption. RANKL was first discovered as a T cell-derived activator of dendritic cells (DCs) and has many functions in the immune system, including organogenesis, cellular development. The essentiality of RANKL in the bone and the immune systems lies at the root of the field of "osteoimmunology." Furthermore, this cytokine functions beyond the domains of…

• NF
  Naito Foundation
• SM
  Suzuken Memorial Foundation
• TS
  Takeda Science Foundation
• AG
  Asahi Glass Foundation
• SF
  Sumitomo Foundation
• NF
  Nakatomi Foundation
• UM
  Uehara Memorial Foundation
• JA
  Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
• IK
  Ichiro Kanehara Foundation for the Promotion of Medical Sciences and Medical Care
• SS
  Secom Science and Technology Foundation
• DS
  Daiichi Sankyo Foundation of Life Science
• TM
  Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• OM
  Ono Medical Research Foundation
• MY
  Meiji Yasuda Life Foundation of Health and Welfare
• LS
  Life Science Foundation of Japan
• JS
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
• JS
  Japan Science and Technology Agency
• PR
  Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology
• DS
  Daiichi Sankyo Europe