PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide insight into the current state of understanding regarding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the formation and function of various types of multinucleated giant cells. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies involving mainly osteoclasts and foreign body giant cells have revealed a number of common factors, for example, vitronectin, an adhesion protein, dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein, a fusion factor, and macrophage fusion receptor, that contribute to giant cell formation and function. Insight into common molecules, receptors, and mediators of adhesion and fusion mechanisms of giant cell formation have been complicated by the wide diversity of species, models, and cell types utilized in these studies. SUMMARY: These recently identified factors together with the well known osteoclast receptor, alphavbeta3, may serve as potential therapeutic targets for the modulation and inhibition of multinucleated giant cell formation and function. Further studies on intracellular and intercellular signaling mechanisms modulating multinucleated giant cell formation and function are necessary for the identification of therapeutic targets as well as a better understanding of giant cell biology.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide insight into the current state of understanding regarding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the formation and function of various types of multinucleated giant cells. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies involving mainly osteoclasts and foreign body giant cells have revealed a number of common factors, for example, vitronectin, an adhesion protein, dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein, a fusion factor, and macrophage fusion receptor, that contribute to giant cell formation and function. Insight into common molecules, receptors, and mediators of adhesion and fusion mechanisms of giant cell formation have been complicated by the wide diversity of species, models, and cell types utilized in these studies. SUMMARY: These recently identified factors together with the well known osteoclast receptor, alphavbeta3, may serve as potential therapeutic targets for the modulation and inhibition of multinucleated giant cell formation and function. Further studies on intracellular and intercellular signaling mechanisms modulating multinucleated giant cell formation and function are necessary for the identification of therapeutic targets as well as a better understanding of giant cell biology.
Authors: Shani Shilo; Sigal Roth; Tal Amzel; Tamar Harel-Adar; Eran Tamir; Frida Grynspan; Oded Shoseyov Journal: Tissue Eng Part A Date: 2013-02-05 Impact factor: 3.845
Authors: Douglas E James; Bryan J Nestor; Thomas P Sculco; Lionel B Ivashkiv; F Patrick Ross; Steven R Goldring; P Edward Purdue Journal: J Immunol Date: 2010-06-11 Impact factor: 5.422
Authors: Barbro N Melgert; Timothy B Oriss; Zengbiao Qi; Barbara Dixon-McCarthy; Marie Geerlings; Machteld N Hylkema; Anuradha Ray Journal: Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol Date: 2009-07-02 Impact factor: 6.914