OPG/membranous--RANKL complex is internalized via the clathrin pathway before a lysosomal and a proteasomal degradation.

The members of the OPG/RANK/RANKL (osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB/RANK ligand) triad are involved in various osteolytic pathologies such as bone tumors. Although many studies described the use of OPG during the treatment of bone diseases, its bioavailability and the mechanism by which the cells control the extracellular OPG remains blurred. The present work uses a strongly RANKL expressing cellular model to assess the becoming and the bioavailability of exogenous OPG in the context of its interactions with RANKL.