Osteoclasts articles from across Nature Portfolio

Bone remodeling involves a switch between bone formation and resorption, but the mechanisms is unclear. Here, the authors show that intercellular communication via extracellular vesicles secreted by mature osteoblasts is a key factor for the switching, via a microRNA-mediated mechanism.

Adrenomedullin (ADM) significantly stimulates osteoclastogenesis only in the presence of calcitonin. Functional ADM receptor partly composed of osteoclast-specific cell surface Kat1 antigen was detected in cells in the osteoclast-lineage. Expression of ADM receptor was firstly detected in proliferating osteoclast progenitors performing asymmetric cell division and is then expressed in mononuclear osteoclast precursors. Specific regulation of ADM receptors expressed on mononuclear osteoclast precursors could provide an alternative way to modulate bone remodeling therapeutically.

Blood vessels perform vital roles in the skeletal system during development and homeostasis, and both participate in and are affected by inflammation. In this Review, the authors highlight the roles of endothelial cells during bone development, homeostasis and disease.

Selenoproteins containing selenium have a variety of physiological functions including redox homeostasis and thyroid hormone metabolism. Here, the authors show that RANKL-dependent repression of selenoprotein W regulates cell fusion during osteoclast differentiation and bone remodelling in mice.

New research shows that the amino acid l-arginine ameliorates arthritis and inhibits inflammatory bone loss by altering energy metabolism in osteoclasts.

New research has identified the therapeutic potential of a small-molecule inhibitor of the prostaglandin E₂ receptor EP4 against pathophysiology and pain in osteoarthritis.

A new study suggests that DNMT3A mutations associated with clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential are linked to osteoporosis through IL-20-mediated osteoclastogenesis.