Osteoclast fusion and regulation by RANKL-dependent and independent factors

Figure 3 Osteoclast fusion is regulated by various factors mainly through dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein. A: In osteoclast precursors, factors including transcription factors essential for osteoclastogenesis control DC-STAMP expression, which regulates osteoclast fusion directly; B: Various cell types produce soluble factors that affect DC-STAMP expression in osteoclast precursors, which regulates osteoclast fusion indirectly. DC-STAMP: Dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein.