Section C Project C04

Differentiation and fate of osteoclasts during health and disease

Macrophages are not a homogenous cell population but consist of embryonic resident macrophages as well as bone marrow derived macrophages. Whether osteoclasts stem from the former or the latter lineage in inflammatory conditions is not entirely clear to date. C04 will address the concept that osteoclasts during inflammation could stem from bone marrow-derived cells, while resident embryonic precursors give rise to osteoclasts under steady state conditions. A major question that should be addressed in this project is whether these different osteoclast subpopulations display not only different origins, but also divergent activation profiles and functions. Such insights into osteoclast heterogeneity during inflammation might provide a better understanding of osteoclast-related pathologies during inflammatory diseases as well as potential new targets for more specific therapeutic interventions during diseases such as RA and periodontitis.