Abstract
Bone Osteoporosis is typically treated with nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) to inhibit bone resorption; however, N-BPs can cause serious side effects, including osteonecrosis and fracture. To understand susceptibility to these side effects, Surface et al. investigated the role of the gene ATRAID in mediating response to N-BPs. Mice deficient in this gene had weaker bone and did not respond to N-BP treatment in models of osteoporosis. Patients with coding variants in ATRAID taking N-BPs presented with fractures and osteonecrosis of the jaw. The authors determined that ATRAID is necessary for inhibition of osteoclast function by N-BPs. It may thus be prudent to screen patients for variants in ATRAID to avoid N-BP side effects. Sci. Transl. Med. 12 , eaav9166 (2020).
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