News Releases & Research Results Elucidation of the mechanism of generation of "osteoclasts" responsible for bone destruction at single-cell resolution - For the development of novel treatments for bone-destruction diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatism -

The results of research conducted by Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Masayuki Tsukasaki and Professor Hiroshi Takayanagi of the Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo.

• The mechanism of generation of "osteoclasts," responsible for bone destruction associated with various diseases, such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, periodontal disease, and cancer bone metastasis, if excessively activated, was elucidated at a single-cell level.
• The results of this research should facilitate the identification of novel molecular targets critical for the development of drugs that suppress osteoclasts, leading to the establishment of novel treatments to prevent bone destruction and promote repair.

This project was conducted with the support of the Advanced Research & Development Programs for Medical Innovation (AMED-CREST) by AMED.

The results were published in Nature Metabolism on December 8.

Tsukasaki M., et al. Stepwise cell fate decision pathways during osteoclastogenesis at single-cell resolution Nature Metabolism
DOI: 10.1038/s42255-020-00318-y