The role of OPG/TRAIL complex in multiple myeloma: the OPG/TRAIL complex in an in vitro osteoclastogenesis model derived from human multiple myeloma-bone disease.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is often associated with an increased osteoclast (OC) activity. Using an in vitro osteoclastogenesis model consisting of MM unstimulated and unfractionated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), we showed that T cells support OC formation and survival. Differently, in T cell-depleted MM PBMC cultures, exogenous macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activated of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) were necessary for osteoclastogenesis. We found RANKL, OPG, and TRAIL overexpression by fresh MM T cells. Despite high osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels, the persistence of osteoclastogenesis can be related to the formation of the OPG/TRAIL complex. Our results highlight that MM T cells support OC formation and survival, possibly involving OPG/TRAIL interaction