Tumor necrosis factor prevents alendronate‐induced osteoclast apoptosis in vivo by stimulating Bcl‐xL expression through Ets‐2

Abstract

The reduced efficacy of bisphosphonates to stop bone erosion in the inflamed joints of RA patients may result from local high levels of TNF up-regulating Ets-2 expression in osteoclasts, which in turn stimulates Bcl-xL expression in them and reduces their susceptibility to bisphosphonate-induced apoptosis.