RANK Expression as a Cell Surface Marker of Human Osteoclast Precursors in Peripheral Blood, Bone Marrow, and Giant Cell Tumors of Bone

Abstract

These results suggest that committed monocytoid RANK+ pre-OCs are represented in the marrow and circulate in the periphery, forming a pool of cells capable of responding rapidly to RANKL. The ability to reliably detect committed pre-OC in peripheral blood could have important clinical applications in the management of diseases characterized by abnormal osteoclastic activity.