The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily that has multiple ligands and is implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including diabetic complications, neurodegenerative disorders, and inflammatory responses. However, the role of RAGE in normal physiology is largely undefined. Here, we present evidence for a role of RAGE in osteoclast maturation and function, which has consequences for bone remodeling. Mice lacking RAGE had increased bone mass and bone mineral density and decreased bone resorptive activity in vivo. In vitro–differentiated RAGE-deficient osteoclasts exhibited disrupted actin ring and sealing zone structures, impaired maturation, and reduced bone resorptive activity. Impaired signaling downstream of αvβ3 integrin was observed in RAGE−/− bone marrow macrophages and precursors of OCs. These results demonstrate a role for RAGE in osteoclast actin cytoskeletal reorganization, adhesion, and function, and suggest that the osteosclerotic-like phenotype observed in RAGE knockout mice is due to a defect in osteoclast function.

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a nonhistone nuclear protein, is released by macrophages into the extracellular milieu consequent to cellular activation. Extracellular HMGB1 has properties of a pro-inflammatory cytokine through its interaction with receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) and/or toll-like receptors (TLR2 and TLR4). Although HMGB1 is highly expressed in macrophages and differentiating osteoclasts, its role in osteoclastogenesis remains largely unknown. In this report, we present evidence for a function of HMGB1 in this event. HMGB1 is released from macrophages in response to RANKL stimulation and is required for RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro and in vivo. In addition, HMGB1, like other osteoclastogenic cytokines (e.g., TNF␣), enhances RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in vivo and in vitro at subthreshold concentrations of RANKL, which alone would be insufficient. The role of HMGB1 in osteoclastogenesis is mediated, in large part, by its interaction with RAGE, an immunoglobin domain containing family receptor that plays an important role in osteoclast terminal differentiation and activation. HMGB1-RAGE signaling seems to be important in regulating actin cytoskeleton reorganization, thereby participating in RANKL-induced and integrin-dependent osteoclastogenesis. Taken together, these observations show a novel function of HMGB1 in osteoclastogenesis and provide a new link between inflammatory mechanisms and bone resorption.

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SUMMARY Neogenin has been identified as a receptor for neuronal axon guidance cues netrins and RGMs (repulsive guidance molecules). Here we provide evidence for neogenin in regulating endochondral bone development and BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) signaling. Neogenin deficient mice were impaired in digit/limb development and endochondral ossification. BMP2 induction of Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation and Runx2 expression, but not non-canonical p38 MAPK activation, was reduced in chondrocytes from neogenin mutant mice. BMP receptor association with membrane micro-domains, which is necessary for BMP signaling to Smad, but not p38 MAPK, was diminished in neogenin deficient chondrocytes. Furthermore, RGMs appear to mediate neogenin interaction with BMP receptors in chondrocytes. Taken together, our results indicate that neogenin promotes chondrogenesis in vitro and in vivo, revealing an unexpected mechanism underlying neogenin regulation of BMP signaling.