Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), also known as tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11 (TNFSF11), TNF-related activation-induced cytokine (TRANCE), osteoprotegerin ligand (OPGL), and osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF), is known as a type II membrane protein and is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily. RANKL is synthesized in membranous or soluble form by the osteoblastic lineage cells, the immune cells, and some cancer cells. This factor links to the osteoclosteoclasts'e receptor, RANK, and stimulates bone resorption through osteoclastogenesis and the activation of multinucleated mature osteoclasts.
The RANK/RANKL/OPG system controls bone remodeling by inducing osteoblast synthesis of RANKL and downregulating OPG production, and it is also implicated in vascular calcification. A variety of drugs targeting this target are in the clinical stage.