Effects of TNF-α on the expressions of RANKL and OPG mRNA in human synovial cells

Objective To investigate the effects of TNF-α on RANKL and OPG mRNA expressions in human synovial cells.MethodThe human synovial cells were treated with TNF-α of different concentrations and periods.The mRNA expressions of RANKL and OPG were analyzed by RT-PCR.Results TNF-α could up-regulate the mRNA expression of both RANKL and OPG, while the RANKL/OPG ratio were upgraded at 10 ng/mL TNF-α con-centration.Moreover, the RANKL/OPG ratio was elevated significantly above the control group(P 0.01) at 12 and 24 hours.Conclusion TNF-α may affect osteoclasia around articulus which has pathological changes by up-regu-lating the RANKL/OPG expression ratio of synovial cells.