Osteoclast migration, differentiation and function: novel therapeutic targets for rheumatic diseases

RA is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint synovial inflammation and progressive cartilage/bone destruction. Although various kinds of RA drug have been developed worldwide, there are currently no established methods for preventing RA-associated bone destruction, the most severe outcome of this disease. One of the major pathogenic factors in arthritic bone destruction is the enhanced activity of osteoclasts at inflammatory sites. Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing giant polykaryons that differentiate from mononuclear macrophage/monocyte-lineage haematopoietic precursors. Upon stimulation by cytokines, such as M-CSF and RANK ligand, osteoclast precursor monocytes migrate and attach onto the bone surface (migration). They then fuse with each other to form giant cells (differentiation) and mediate bone resorption (function). In this review, we summarize the current understanding regarding the mechanisms underlying these three dynamic steps of osteoclastic activity and discuss novel lines of osteoclast-targeted therapies that will impact future treatment of RA.