Advances in osteoimmunology: pathophysiologic concepts and treatment opportunities

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Osteoimmunology is an emerging research area that deals with the mutual interactions between bone and the immune system. Osteoclasts have long been the center of attention in osteoimmunological research due to their hematopoietic origin and strong activation through cytokines. However, also the osteoclast's opponent - the osteoblast - has recently sought the spotlight, and novel functions of its descendant - the osteocyte - have been unraveled. A considerable number of investigations carried out over the past decade have identified critical proteins with osteoimmune functions including the pro-osteoclastic cytokine receptor activator of NF-ĸB ligand and inhibitors of the pro-osteoblastic Wnt signaling pathway. These discoveries have also led to the development of targeted therapies to counteract not only inflammation-induced bone loss but also postmenopausal osteoporosis and osteoporosis associated with aging.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)114–125
Number of pages12
JournalInternational archives of allergy and immunology
Volume160
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

researchoutputwizard legacy.publication#54869
Scopus 84866722828
PubMed 23018236

Keywords

Keywords

  • Animals, Bone and Bones/immunology, Humans, Immune System/immunology