• Wantida Sriarj D.D.S. (Hons), Higher. Grad. Dip. (Pediatric Dentistry), Ph.D.

Osteoclasts are cells that play a crucial role in bone remodeling. These cells are derived from
monocyte-macrophage lineage of hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow. RANK-RANKL
interaction has been demonstrated to be a key mechanism of osteoclastogenesis, however, recent
reports revealed the novel role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) in the
regulation of osteoclast formation. In this review, the novel function of PPAR-γ in osteoclastogenesis
will be discussed. Generally, PPAR-γ has been known to play a role in metabolism of glucose and
lipid, including promotes adipocyte differentiation and inhibits osteoblast differentiation. Evidence
suggested that PPAR-γ could also work in accordance with RANK-RANKL system in regulating
osteoclastogenesis. The novel function of PPAR-γ will not only expands our knowledge in the
mechanism of osteoclastogenesis but also suggests the correlation between glucose metabolism and
osteoclast formation.

(CU Dent J. 2013;36:207-20)