Osteoclastogenic Potential of CD68-Expressing Osteoclast Precursor Cells
Faculty Mentor
Jason Ashley
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
5-7-2025 10:00 AM
End Date
5-7-2025 10:20 AM
Location
PUB 317
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Biology
Abstract
Osteoclasts, which resorb bone, are essential for skeletal maintenance, but their overactivity contributes to bone fragility and diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Maintaining a balance between osteoclast resorption and osteoblast-mediated bone formation is critical for bone health. Identifying reliable markers of osteoclast precursors could lead to more targeted therapies that regulate bone remodeling without broadly suppressing osteoclast function.
CD68, a glycoprotein expressed on macrophages and monocyte-lineage cells, has been proposed as a marker for osteoclast precursors, but its exact role in osteoclastogenesis remains unclear. This study aims to investigate CD68’s function and its potential as a therapeutic target. We will use fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to isolate CD68-positive and CD68-negative bone marrow populations, followed by in vitro osteoclast differentiation assays and gene expression analysis. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) will further characterize CD68-expressing subpopulations and identify potential osteoclast precursor subsets. If CD68 is confirmed as a key regulator in osteoclast development, it could pave the way for more precise therapeutic interventions, potentially reducing the side effects of current anti-resorptive treatments like bisphosphonates and RANKL inhibitors, while preserving healthy bone remodeling.
Recommended Citation
Quinn, Colton Raymond, "Osteoclastogenic Potential of CD68-Expressing Osteoclast Precursor Cells" (2025). 2025 Symposium. 5.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2025/op_2025/o1_2025/5
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Osteoclastogenic Potential of CD68-Expressing Osteoclast Precursor Cells
PUB 317
Osteoclasts, which resorb bone, are essential for skeletal maintenance, but their overactivity contributes to bone fragility and diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Maintaining a balance between osteoclast resorption and osteoblast-mediated bone formation is critical for bone health. Identifying reliable markers of osteoclast precursors could lead to more targeted therapies that regulate bone remodeling without broadly suppressing osteoclast function.
CD68, a glycoprotein expressed on macrophages and monocyte-lineage cells, has been proposed as a marker for osteoclast precursors, but its exact role in osteoclastogenesis remains unclear. This study aims to investigate CD68’s function and its potential as a therapeutic target. We will use fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to isolate CD68-positive and CD68-negative bone marrow populations, followed by in vitro osteoclast differentiation assays and gene expression analysis. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) will further characterize CD68-expressing subpopulations and identify potential osteoclast precursor subsets. If CD68 is confirmed as a key regulator in osteoclast development, it could pave the way for more precise therapeutic interventions, potentially reducing the side effects of current anti-resorptive treatments like bisphosphonates and RANKL inhibitors, while preserving healthy bone remodeling.
