Transmembrane protein 173 inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation.

Tmem173 was identified as a growth inhibitor associated with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and a potential stimulator for IFN-ß, an innate immune inducer and a negative feedback controller for RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation of monocytic macrophage cells. In this study, we confirmed that transmembrane protein 173 (Tmem173) overexpression inhibited the expression of osteoclast-specific genes, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), cathepsin K, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), as well as bone resorption pit formation in RANKL-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Activation of osteoclast-specific transcription factors, c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic-1 (NFATc1), and RANKL-induced activation of ERK were also down-regulated by Tmem173 overexpression. Collectively, these results suggest that Tmem173 plays a regulatory role in RANKL-RANK-mediated signaling in osteoclastogenesis.