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  • Original Article
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Activated human T cells express alternative mRNA transcripts encoding a secreted form of RANKL

A Corrigendum to this article was published on 05 September 2013

Abstract

Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB-ligand (RANKL), encoded by the gene TNFSF11, is required for osteoclastogenesis, and its expression is upregulated in pathologic bone loss. Transcript variants of TNFSF11 messenger RNA (mRNA) have been described that encode a membrane-bound and a putative secreted form of RANKL. We identify a TNFSF11 transcript variant that extends the originally identified transcript encoding secreted RANKL. We demonstrate that this TNFSF11 transcript variant is expressed by the human osteosarcoma cell line, Saos-2, and by both primary human T cells and Jurkat T cells. Of relevance to the production of RANKL in pathologic bone loss, expression of this secreted TNFSF11 transcript is upregulated in Jurkat T cells and primary human T cells upon activation. Furthermore, this transcript can be translated and secreted in Jurkat T cells in vitro and is able to support osteoclast differentiation. Our data highlight the complexity of the TNFSF11 genomic locus, and demonstrate the potential for the expression of alternate mRNA transcripts encoding membrane-bound and secreted forms of RANKL. Implications of alternate mRNA transcripts encoding different RANKL protein isoforms should be carefully considered and specifically examined in future studies, particularly those implicating RANKL in pathologic bone loss.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by: National Institutes of Health R01 AR047665 and 055952 awarded to Dr Gravallese; Arthritis National Research Foundation (Dr Walsh); The University of Queensland Early Career Grant, The Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Foundations Establishment Gift, and a National Health and Medical Research (NHMRC) Council Career Development Award, awarded to Dr Pettit; a NHMRC Dora Lush Postgraduate Scholarship (409914) awarded to Dr Alexander.

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Correspondence to E M Gravallese.

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Walsh, N., Alexander, K., Manning, C. et al. Activated human T cells express alternative mRNA transcripts encoding a secreted form of RANKL. Genes Immun 14, 336–345 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/gene.2013.29

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