Regulation of bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis through RANKL-RANK pathways

Recent studies have demonstrated that osteoclasts, the primary cells responsible for bone resorption, are mainly involved in bone and joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Recent progress in bone cell biology has revealed the molecular mechanism of osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption by mature osteoclasts. We highlight here the potential role of the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)-RANK pathways in bone destruction in RA and review recent clinical trials treating RA by targeting RANKL.