Objective This study aims to investigate the influence of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin(IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α on differentiation and formation of mouse osteoclast-like cells in vitro. Methods Osteoclast precursor cells from mice spleen were cultured under four conditions. Group A was cultured with macrophage colony stimulating factor(M-CSF). Group B was cultured with M-CSF and the soluble ligand of receptor activator of NF- κB(sRANKL). Group C was cultured with M-CSF, sRANKL, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α. Finally, Group D was cultured with M-CSF, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α. All groups were cultured in 24-well plates with bone slices. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and inverted microscope were employed to determine differentiation. A scanning electron microscope was used to examine the bone slices. Results The number of osteoclast-like cells from Groups C and B was significantly higher than that in Groups A and D(P0.05). Conclusion Proinflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α can promote the differentiation of osteoclast-like cells in vitro, which is dependent on sRANKL. These cytokines cannot directly induce the formation of osteoclast-like cells.
