Effect of RANKL on formation and activity of osteoclasts

Objective To study the effects of RANKL on the formation and activity of osteoclasts.Methods RANKL at concentrations of 50,100 and 150μg/L induced osteoclastogenesis from bone marrow mononuclear cells.Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining was used to observe the formation and morphology of osteoclasts.Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase assay kit was used to evaluate the tartrate resistant acid phosphatase activity in the culture supernatant.Bone absorption ability of osteoclats was evaluated by absorption assay of bone plate.Results The number,sizes,nucleus number,tartrate resistant acid phosphatase activity and bone absorption ability of osteoclasts were enhanced in 100μg/L and 150μg/L RANKL groups as compared with 50μg/L RANKL group(P0.01).There was no significant difference between100μg/L and 150μg/L RANKL groups.Conclusion 100μg/L RANKL can enhance formation and activity of osteoclasts,and is an ideal concentration for osteoclast culture.