2. Academic Validation
  3. Osteoclast-poor human osteopetrosis due to mutations in the gene encoding RANKL

Osteoclast-poor human osteopetrosis due to mutations in the gene encoding RANKL

  • Nat Genet. 2007 Aug;39(8):960-2. doi: 10.1038/ng2076.
Cristina Sobacchi 1,  Annalisa Frattini,  Matteo M Guerrini,  Mario Abinun,  Alessandra Pangrazio,  Lucia Susani,  Robbert Bredius,  Grazia Mancini,  Andrew Cant,  Nick Bishop,  Peter Grabowski,  Andrea Del Fattore,  Chiara Messina,  Gabriella Errigo,  Fraser P Coxon,  Debbie I Scott,  Anna Teti,  Michael J Rogers,  Paolo Vezzoni,  Anna Villa,  Miep H Helfrich
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Institute of Biomedical Technologies, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via F. Cervi 93, 20090 Segrate, Italy.
PMID: 17632511 DOI: 10.1038/ng2076
Abstract

Autosomal recessive osteopetrosis is usually associated with normal or elevated numbers of nonfunctional osteoclasts. Here we report mutations in the gene encoding RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor-KB ligand) in six individuals with autosomal recessive osteopetrosis whose bone biopsy specimens lacked osteoclasts. These individuals did not show any obvious defects in immunological parameters and could not be cured by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; however, exogenous RANKL induced formation of functional osteoclasts from their monocytes, suggesting that they could, theoretically, benefit from exogenous RANKL administration.

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