Expression data from RAW264.7 murine cell line

Appropriate bone mass is maintained by the actions of the main cells in the bone, osteoclasts and osteoblasts. The Stat3 transcription factor is known to have an effect on maintaining bone mass, but it is not known whether its key actions are in osteoblasts, osteoclasts, or both. Preliminary data indicated that Stat3 plays a role in osteoclast differentiation, but the mechanisms of this role are not yet understood. We performed a microarray analysis to understand what key players in osteoclast differentiation are affected by Stat3 transcriptional activity We performed a transient siRNA knockdown of Stat3 in the RAW264.7 cell line and differentiated these cells towards an osteoclast fate with RANKL stimulation.