Age-related expansion and increased osteoclastogenic potential of myeloid-derived suppressor cells

•Aging is associated with increased accumulation of MDSCs in bone marrow and periphery.•Aging increases the osteoclastogenic potential of monocytic MDSCs in vitro and in vivo.•Monocytic MDSCs are a source of osteoclast precursors and contribute to age-associated bone loss.•Low-grade inflammation associated with aging increases the sensitivity of monocytic MDSCs to RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Aging is associated with excessive bone loss that is not counteracted with the development of new bone. However, the mechanisms underlying age-related bone loss are not completely clear. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a population of heterogenous immature myeloid cells with immunosuppressive functions that are known to stimulate tumor-induced bone lysis. In this study, we investigated the association of MDSCs and age-related bone loss in mice. Our results shown that aging increased the accumulation of MDSCs in the bone marrow and spleen, while in the meantime potentiated the osteoclastogenic activity of the CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G+ monocytic subpopulation of MDSCs. In addition, CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G+ MDSCs from old mice exhibited increased expression of c-fms compared to young mice, and were more sensitive to RANKL-induced osteoclast gene expression. On the other hand, old mice showed elevated production of IL-6 and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) in the circulation. Furthermore, IL-6 and RANKL were able to induce the proliferation of CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G+ MDSCs and up-regulate c-fms expression. Moreover, CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G+ MDSCs obtained from old mice showed increased antigen-specific T cell suppressive function, pStat3 expression, and cytokine production in response to inflammatory stimulation, compared to those cells obtained from young mice. Our findings suggest that CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G+ MDSCs are a source of osteoclast precursors that together with the presence of persistent, low-grade inflammation, contribute to age-associated bone loss in mice.