Targeting Osteoclasts in Bone Disease: Mechanisms, Drug Discovery, and Translational Advances

Bone remodeling is a tightly regulated physiological process that maintains skeletal integrity through the coordinated activities of osteoclast mediated bone resorption and osteoblast driven bone formation. Dysregulated osteoclast activity is a central pathological feature of numerous skeletal disorders, including osteoporosis, inflammatory bone loss, malignancy associated bone disease, hyperparathyroidism, thyroid disorders, and glucocorticoid induced bone fragility.Osteoclast differentiation and function are primarily regulated by the RANK/RANKL/OPG signaling axis, together with hormonal, inflammatory, metabolic, and microenvironmental signals. Although currently available anti resorptive therapies have substantially improved the management of bone diseases, challenges such as treatment resistance, adverse effects during long term use, and incomplete protection against bone loss highlight the need for more precise therapeutic strategies targeting osteoclast biology.Recent advances in molecular biology, osteoimmunology, and pharmacological discovery have expanded our understanding of osteoclast regulation and opened new avenues for therapeutic intervention. This Research Topic aims to provide a platform for cutting edge studies exploring the mechanisms governing osteoclast differentiation, precursor fusion, multinucleation, activation, and survival, as well as emerging strategies for therapeutic modulation of osteoclast activity.We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that bridge basic mechanistic insights, drug discovery, and translational research in osteoclast biology. Studies employing advanced approaches, including genetic models, high throughput screening, single cell technologies, advanced imaging, and computational strategies, are particularly encouraged.• Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Osteoclast Differentiation and Function• Endocrine, Immune, and Metabolic Regulation of Osteoclast Activity• Pathophysiology of Osteoclast-Mediated Bone Diseases• Current Anti-Resorptive Therapies: Clinical Impact and Limitations• Emerging and Next-Generation Therapeutic StrategiesBy integrating fundamental biology with translational innovation, this collection aims to foster interdisciplinary insights that may accelerate the development of safer and more effective therapies for skeletal diseases associated with excessive bone resorption. Topic editors: Joao Rodrigues, Vishwa Deepak, Abe Kasonga Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79089/targeting-osteoclasts-in-bone-disease-mechanisms-drug-discovery-and-translational-advances