text: For example, it has been reported that the administration of IL7 to the mouse induces B-lymphopoiesis and osteoclastic bone destruction [36], that mature B-cells and their precursors can express RANKL [37], that B-cell precursors have the capacity to differentiate directly into bone resorbing osteoclasts [38], and that the depletion of B-cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis suppresses bone turnover [39].