RANKL protein is expressed at the pannus–bone interface at sites of articular bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract
Objectives. Receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) have been demonstrated to be critical regulators of osteoclast generation and activity. In addition, RANKL has been implicated as an important mediator of bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the expression of RANKL and OPG at sites of pannus invasion into bone has not been examined. The present study was undertaken to further elucidate the contribution of this cytokine system to osteoclastogenesis and subsequent bone erosion in RA by examining the pattern of protein expression for RANKL, OPG and the receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) in RA at sites of articular bone erosion.

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