Figure 7.

A) In WT mice, MFG-E8 is present and functional. Aberrant inflammation is minimal and osteoclastogenesis, osteoclast activity, and bone mass are at baseline levels. B) With MFG-E8 deficiency, inflammation increases, causing an increase in neutrophils and MDSCs, a subset of myeloid cells that can differentiate into osteoclasts. Increased inflammatory cytokines lead to increased osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast activity, resulting in decreased bone mass. When PTH is administered to MFG-E8–deficient mice, inflammation is reduced and osteoclastogenesis is decreased, leading to an increase in bone mass.