To determine the regulatory roles of PDE4 inhibitor on LPS-induced osteoclastogenesis, we investigated the effect of a PDE4 inhibitor on osteoclast formation in the presence of LPS. A specific PDE4 inhibitor, rolipram, increased LPS-induced osteoclast formation in cocultures. To verify that whether rolipram acts indirectly on osteoblasts, we investigated the TRANCE and COX-2 mRNA expression levels in osteoblasts. Treatment of rolipram increased the expression of TRANCE and COX-2 mRNA in osteoblasts stimulated by LPS. On the contrary, rolipram did not augment the number of osteoclasts differentiated from bone marrow cells by LPS. In conclusion, the stimulation of LPS-induced osteoclast formation by the PDE4 inhibitor are attributable to its indirect effect on osteoblasts, not to their direct effect on bone marrow-derived osteoclast precursors.