Inhibition of bone resorption by a monoclonal antibody that reacts with a 150 kD membrane protein in chicken osteoclasts.

Abstract

Bone resorption is a multistep process that includes the maturation of osteoclast precursors, the special attachment of fully differentiated osteoclasts to mineralized bone surface, and the dissolution of inorganic mineral, as well as the breakdown of organic matrix. We have produced a large panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against chicken osteoclasts to obtain specific probes for studying the function of osteoclasts. One of our antibodies, K20, inhibited bone resorption of isolated osteoclasts almost completely. Several pieces of evidence suggested that the antigen detected by this antibody was located in the plasma membrane of the osteoclast. In western blot analysis K20 antibody specifically recognized a 150 kD protein in the medullary bone microsome fraction under reducing and nonreducing conditions. In addition to osteoclasts and some bone and bone marrow mononuclear cells, a positive immunoreaction was seen in the kidney tubules. These data suggest that monoclonal antibody K20 reacts with an osteoclast surface antigen that is functionally important in bone resorption.