The osteoclast is derived from bone marrow. During the growth and developmental process, it plays an important role in bone resorption. An increase or decrease of the osteoclast may cause osteoporosis or bone sclerosis, and other bone metabolic diseases. This review focuses on the advances in signal pathways (such as NF-κB pathway, Src-PI3K-Akt pathway, MAPK pathway, CN/NFAT pathway, IDO/Tryptophan pathway, etc.) and signal factors (such as PU.1, Lhx2, TNF-α, M-CSF, TGF-β, etc.) during the process of osteoclast differentiation, in order to provide new ideas for the treatment of bone metabolic diseases. |