A. Mizuno et al., SEVERE OSTEOPOROSIS IN MICE LACKING OSTEOCLASTOGENESIS INHIBITORY FACTOR OSTEOPROTEGERIN, Biochemical and biophysical research communications (Print), 247(3), 1998, pp. 610-615
Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells that resorb bone. Osteoclastogene
sis inhibitory factor (OCIF), also called osteoprotegerin (OPG), acts
as a naturally occurring decoy receptor for osteoclast differentiation
factor, which mediates an essential signal to osteoclast progenitors
for their differentiation into osteoclasts. Here we show that the OCIF
/OPG knockout mice exhibited severe osteoporosis due to enhanced osteo
clastogenesis when they grew to be adults. These mice were viable and
fertile. They exhibited marked bone loss accompanied by destruction of
growth plate and lack of trabecular bone in their femurs. The strengt
h of their bones dramatically decreased. These results demonstrate tha
t OCIF/OPG; is a key factor acting as a negative regulator against ost
eoclastogenesis. The OCIF/OPG knockout mice provide the first animal m
odel for osteoporosis without other obvious abnormalities. (C) 1998 Ac
ademic Press.