biostudies-literatureSchiavone MLMinistero della SaluteFondazione Beppe e Nuccy Angiolini Onlus203https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11227705biostudies-literatureUnknown15(1)<h4>Background</h4>Skeletal Stem Cells (SSCs) are required for skeletal development, homeostasis, and repair. The perspective of their wide application in regenerative medicine approaches has supported research in this field, even though so far results in the clinic have not reached expectations, possibly due also to partial knowledge of intrinsic, potentially actionable SSC regulatory factors. Among them, the pleiotropic cytokine RANKL, with essential roles also in bone biology, is a candidate deserving deep investigation.<h4>Methods</h4>To dissect the role of the RANKL cytokine in SSC biology, we performed ex vivo characterization of SSCs and downstream progenitors (SSPCs) in mice lacking Rankl (Rankl^-/-) by means of cytofluorimetric sorting and analysis of SSC populations froStem cell research & therapyRankl genetic deficiency and functional blockade undermine skeletal stem and progenitor cell differentiation.PMC11227705Fondazione Beppe e Nuccy Angiolini OnlusRF-2018-12367680Sobacchi CCrisafulli LDe Simone GRucci NLiberati FRSchiavone MLFicara FPalagano ECamisaschi CfalseRankl genetic deficiency and functional blockade undermine skeletal stem and progenitor cell differentiation.<h4>Background</h4>Skeletal Stem Cells (SSCs) are required for skeletal development, homeostasis, and repair. The perspective of their wide application in regenerative medicine approaches has supported research in this field, even though so far results in the clinic have not reached expectations, possibly due also to partial knowledge of intrinsic, potentially actionable SSC regulatory factors. Among them, the pleiotropic cytokine RANKL, with essential roles also in bone biology, is a candidate deserving deep investigation.<h4>Methods</h4>To dissect the role of the RANKL cytokine in SSC biology, we performed ex vivo characterization of SSCs and downstream progenitors (SSPCs) in mice lacking Rankl (Rankl^-/-) by means of cytofluorimetric sorting and analysis of SSC populations fro2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Jul2025-04-26T05:41:14.756Z2025-04-06T11:36:28.698ZS-EPMC112277053897180810.1186/s13287-024-03803-3