Rank Ligand : Balancing resorption and formation in healthy bone

Balancing resorption and formation in healthy bone
RANK Ligand is essential to the development, activation and survival of bone-resorbing osteoclasts2–8
RANK Ligand and OPG balance bone loss and formation

Get to know the KEY PLAYERS in the vicious
cycle of metastatic bone destruction.

The role of RANK Ligand in healthy bone remodeling

Balancing resorption and formation in healthy bone

In healthy adults, bone physiology is a dynamic, coordinated process controlled by 2 types of cells: osteoclasts and osteoblasts (see below). Through a balanced remodeling process, osteoclasts resorb bone, and osteoblasts build bone at the same site.1,2

This image shows osteoclasts and osteoblasts in normal bone (toluidine blue, x100). The large osteoclast is actively resorbing bone. Osteoblasts are small, cuboid cells that actively lay down bone matrix.1

This bone remodeling sequence consists of 4 distinct phases: activation, resorption, reversal, and formation.3

Balancing resorption and formation in healthy bone