Standardized, high-efficiency protocol for in vitro murine jawbone osteoclast isolation and differentiation
- 1Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and Uniklinikum Erlangen
- 2Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie (DZI), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and Uniklinikum Erlangen
- 3Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and Uniklinikum Erlangen
Abstract
Osteoclasts derived from distinct skeletal sites exhibit site-specific differences in osteoclastogenic potential, reflecting variations in developmental origin, local microenvironment, and regulatory signaling pathways. Jawbones differ from long bones in their remodeling characteristics, reflecting their neural crest origin, intramembranous development, and functional integration with the periodontal ligament, which together shape distinct stromal programs, mechanotransduction cues, and bone turnover set points. These differences are especially relevant when studying diseases such as periodontitis, where alveolar bone resorption is a hallmark feature. However, due to the lack of standardized protocols for the isolation and culture of jawbone derived osteoclasts, most in vitro studies rely on bone marrow–derived osteoclasts, which incompletely recapitulate craniofacial osteoclast biology and may therefore limit translational relevance. Here, we present a comprehensive protocol for the generation of osteoclasts derived from murine jawbone tissue, followed by downstream in vitro processing and analytical evaluation. The protocol is complemented by standardized methods to assess osteoclast differentiation and functional resorptive capacity using calcium phosphate coated surfaces. By enabling the reliable generation and characterization of osteoclasts from craniofacial bone, this approach provides a physiologically relevant in vitro model for studying periodontitis and other oral bone pathologies, thereby enhancing the mechanistic understanding of site-specific osteoclast biology, and supporting the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.
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BibTeX
@article{guliyeva2026standardized,
title = {{Standardized, high-efficiency protocol for in vitro murine jawbone osteoclast isolation and differentiation}},
author = {Gulnaz Guliyeva and Marina Kleim and Mai A. M. Ibrahim and Antonio Maccataio and Ulrike Steffen and Georg Schett and Manuel Weber and Bettina Grötsch},
journal = {Frontiers in Immunology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2026.1971046},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1971046/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Standardized, high-efficiency protocol for in vitro murine jawbone osteoclast isolation and differentiation
AU - Gulnaz Guliyeva
AU - Marina Kleim
AU - Mai A. M. Ibrahim
AU - Antonio Maccataio
AU - Ulrike Steffen
AU - Georg Schett
AU - Manuel Weber
AU - Bettina Grötsch
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - Frontiers in Immunology
DO - 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1971046
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1971046/full
AB - Osteoclasts derived from distinct skeletal sites exhibit site-specific differences in osteoclastogenic potential, reflecting variations in developmental origin, local microenvironment, and regulatory signaling pathways. Jawbones differ from long bones in their remodeling characteristics, reflecting their neural crest origin, intramembranous development, and functional integration with the periodontal ligament, which together shape distinct stromal programs, mechanotransduction cues, and bone turnover set points. These differences are especially relevant when studying diseases such as periodontitis, where alveolar bone resorption is a hallmark feature. However, due to the lack of standardized protocols for the isolation and culture of jawbone derived osteoclasts, most in vitro studies rely on bone marrow–derived osteoclasts, which incompletely recapitulate craniofacial osteoclast biology and may therefore limit translational relevance. Here, we present a comprehensive protocol for the generation of osteoclasts derived from murine jawbone tissue, followed by downstream in vitro processing and analytical evaluation. The protocol is complemented by standardized methods to assess osteoclast differentiation and functional resorptive capacity using calcium phosphate coated surfaces. By enabling the reliable generation and characterization of osteoclasts from craniofacial bone, this approach provides a physiologically relevant in vitro model for studying periodontitis and other oral bone pathologies, thereby enhancing the mechanistic understanding of site-specific osteoclast biology, and supporting the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.
SN - 1664-3224
ER -