RANKL-based osteoclastogenic assays from murine bone marrow cells.

Osteoclasts are the only cell type in the body to resorb bone. Osteoclasts play a critical role in physiologic and pathologic bone remodeling. Many genetic mouse models affect the skeleton by regulating osteoclast function directly or indirectly. This protocol describes a procedure for generating osteoclasts from mouse bone marrow cells using macrophage colony stimulating factor and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand.