Background-Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common human joint disease. Recent studies suggest that an abnormal subchondral bone metabolism is intimately involved in the genesis of this disease. Bone remodelling is tightly regulated by a molecular triad composed of OPG/RANK/ RANKL. RANKL exists as 3 isoforms: RANKL1, 2, and 3. RANKL1 and 2 enhance osteoclastogenesis whereas RANKL3 inhibits this phenomenon. We previously reported that human OA subchondral bone osteoblasts can be discriminated into two subgroups according to their level of PGE 2 [low (L) or high (H)]. Moreover, we also showed that L-OA osteoblasts express higher levels of total RANKL compared to H-OA osteoblasts. In this study, we investigated the level of membranous RANKL, comparing L-and H-OA subchondral bone osteoblasts, as well as its modulation by osteotropic factors. The impact of the modulation of RANKL1 and 3 on the membranous RANKL level was also studied.