The effect of immunomodulatory complexes on osteoclast differentiation and activity

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with extensive bone erosion. The bone-eating cells (osteoclasts) responsible for this process, and the progenitor cells that they mature from, are found in greater numbers in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Therapeutic strategies that can target this aspect of the disease process are of intense interest. We have recently found that complexes, generated by mixing an endogenous human protein (immunoglobulin G) and a bacterial immunoglobulin-binding protein, have the ability to inhibit the maturation of osteoclasts. This project will examine this specific interaction and determine the ability of treated osteoclasts to
remove bone.