OPG Function — NDEB AFK MCQ
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Correct answer: B — A decoy receptor that binds RANKL and inhibits osteoclastogenesis
Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a soluble decoy receptor produced by osteoblasts and PDL cells that binds RANKL, preventing it from interacting with RANK on osteoclast precursors. This inhibits osteoclast differentiation, activation, and survival, thereby reducing bone resorption. The RANKL/OPG ratio is a critical determinant of bone homeostasis — in periodontitis, this ratio shifts toward RANKL predominance, promoting bone loss. Denosumab (anti-RANKL monoclonal antibody) mimics OPG's action.
Reference: Newman – Newman and Carranza's Clinical Periodontology, 13th ed., 2019