Monoclonal Antibody to RANKL

Background
TRANCE/OPGL/RANKL/ODF is a recently identified member of tumor necrosis factor family. TRANCE (TNF-related activation-induced cytokine receptor) or RANKL {receptor activator of NF-kB (RANK) ligand} has been implicated in interactions between T cells and dendritic cells (4-5). RANKL (TRANCE) binds to RANK on dendritic cells, upregulates the expression of anti-apoptotic protein BcL-XL suggesting a role in DC survival (4). RANKL is also important in T- and B-cell maturation (3). As OPGL/ODF (Osteoprotegerin Ligand/Osteoclast differentiation factor), the same protein can both activate mature osteoclasts and mediate osteoclastogenesis (1,2). RANKL deficient mice show severe osteoporesis and complete absence of osteoclasts as a result of lack of osteogenesis (3).

Antigen
A bacterially expressed fusion protein containing amino acid residues 1-317 of mouse RANKL was used as immunogen for this antibody. The antibody also recognizes human RANKL.

Genebank Info (Protein)
NP_003692

Reference
1. Anderson, D.M, Maraskovsky, E., Billingsley, W.L., Dougall, W.C., Tometsko, M.E., Roux, E.R., Teepe, M.C., DuBose, R.F., Cosman,     D., and Gaibert, L. Nature 390: 175-179 (1997).
2. Wong, B.R., Josien, R., Lee, S.W., Sauter, B., Li, H-L., Steinman, R.M., and Choi, Y. J. Exp. Med. 186: 2075-2080.
3. Kong, Y-Y., Yoshida, H., Sarosi, I., Tan, H-L., et al. Nature 397: 315-323 (1999).
4. Lacey, D.L. Timms, E,. Tan, H.L., Kelly, M.J. , et al. Cell 93: 165-176 (1998).
5. Hsu, H., Lacey, D.L., Dunstan, C.R., Solovyev, I., et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96: 3540-3545 (1999).