PROMOTING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BETWEEN INDIA AND THE U.S.
Biology, Molecular Biology, Stem Cell Biology
Bone is a metabolically active and highly organised tissue that needs continuous remodeling. Bone contains two distinct cell types, the osteoblasts, essential for bone formation (synthesis); and the osteoclasts, essential for bone resorption (break down). Co-ordinated activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts is essential to maintain the bone homeostasis and structural integrity of the skeleton. An imbalance of osteoblast and osteoclast functions can result in skeletal abnormalities characterized by increased or decreased bone mass. Increased osteoclast activity is a major cause of bone loss in osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and bone metastasis. Also, osteoblast number is decreased in osteoporosis. Therefore, to develop the therapy for these diseases it is important to know the regulation of bone remodeling at cellular and molecular level. My team is investigating the role of interleukins in regulation of osteoclasts and osteoblast differentiation and their function. Following are some of the research leads we have obtained. Importantly, we investigated that Interleukin-3 (IL-3), plays an important role in prevention of bone loss and stimulation of new bone formation. Following research leads we have obtained.