Vaspin Attenuates RANKL-Induced Osteoclast Formation in RAW264.7 Cells

Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin), an adipokine that was recently identified in a rat model of type 2 diabetes, has been suggested to have an insulin-sensitizing effect. In this study, we investigated whether vaspin inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis using two types of osteoclast precursors: RAW264.7 cells and bone marrow cells (BMCs). Vaspin inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 cells and BMCs. Interestingly, vaspin also inhibited the RANKL-induced expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) in RAW264.7 cells and BMCs. Furthermore, it inhibited the RANKL-induced upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and cathepsin K in RAW264.7 cells. Thus, we suggest that vaspin downregulates osteoclastogenesis in part by inhibiting expression of the transcription factor NFATc1.