The Study of RAW264.7 Cells Differentiate into Osteoclasts in Vitro

Objective:To observe the biological characteristics of RAW264.7 cells,and to validate the feasibility of RANKL-mediated differentiation of RAW264.7 cells into bone-resorptive osteoclasts(OCs).Methods:The biological characteristics of RAW264.7 were observed.RAW264.7 cells were treated with RANKL.RANKL-induced formation into OCs was observed after tartrate resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP) staining.Bone resorption pits were detected by scanning electron microscope.Results:Multinucleated TRAP+ cells appeared on d 3 of culture and nearly reached the peak on d 7 of culture.Multinucleated cells were seen by TRAP staining.Round or ellipse bone pit resorption was found in bone slice surface by electron microscope,which had edge sharpness and corrosive lines in the bottom of lacuna.It prompted that these osteoclasts had the ability of generating bone resorptive pits.Conclusion:RAW264.7 cells can be used as a good preosteoclast model.The method of RANKL induced RAW 264.7 to matare OCs is simple and reproducible.