Generation of Human Osteoclasts from Peripheral Blood

Osteoclasts are multi-nucleated cells that have the unique ability to resorb calcified bone matrix. They derive from haematopoietic precursor cells, and can be generated in vitro by stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with the cytokines M-CSF and RANKL. In this chapter, we describe the method for generating human osteoclast from peripheral blood or buffy coats, as well as methods for studying both the differentiation and resorbing activity of these cells.