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OPG

Meaning

OPG is the acronym for Osteoprotegerin, a soluble glycoprotein belonging to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily that acts as a crucial negative regulator of bone resorption. Produced by osteoblasts and stromal cells, OPG circulates as a decoy receptor, competitively binding to the Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor Kappa-B Ligand (RANKL). This binding prevents RANKL from activating its cognate receptor, RANK, on the surface of pre-osteoclasts. OPG is therefore essential for maintaining skeletal integrity, as its action inhibits the differentiation, activation, and survival of bone-resorbing osteoclasts. The OPG/RANKL/RANK system is the central regulatory axis of bone remodeling, directly influenced by various hormones.