Cell biology of osteoimmunology

Abstract

Osteoimmunology is defined as the research area focusing on the crosstalk between the immune system and the muskoskeletal system. After nearly a decade of research, we are now beginning to understand the basic principles of this crosstalk. It seems that almost all immune cells are capable of communicating with osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and their respective progenitors - and vice versa. Diseases that fall into the category of osteoimmunology including osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and periodontal disease are of particular significance considering their implications in quality of life, their increased incidence in the population, and socioeconomic issues. To better understand the underlying pathogenesis, the main pathways of the crosstalk between the immune system and the muskoskeletal system need to be uncovered. Our current understanding has already provided the scientific basis for the development of targeted therapies. However, the challenge of future studies is to further decipher this crosstalk at cellular and molecular levels.

Osteoimmunology and the influence of pro-inflammatory cytokines on osteoclasts

“…Since solely the endocrine point of view does not fully explain the pathogenesis of OP, the osteoimmunological approach suggests that activated T lymphocytes can contribute to menopausal changes in bone remodeling by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-7 and IFN-γ (130,131). This statement has caused a paradigm shift in the pathogenesis of OP, which can now be also classified as an inflammatory disease (4, 15,132). The effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines have been initially studied in OVX mice which represent an experimental model of postmenopausal OP.…”

Advances in Osteoimmunology: Pathophysiologic Concepts and Treatment Opportunities

“…Since the term ‘osteoimmunology’ first appeared in the year 2000, several review articles on osteoimmunology have been published [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. This article is a continuation of our review published in the International Archives of Allergy and Immunology in 2007 and will briefly highlight the most important discoveries of the past 5 years and update the current status of antibody treatment of bone diseases.…”

Bone and Cartilage from Stem Cells: Growth Optimalization and Stabilization of Cell Phenotypes

“…Furthermore, this review also discusses how to stabilize osteoblasts and chondrocytes obtained by differentiation of SCs, i.e. how we can make the subject cells resilient to the detrimental effects of inflammatory cytokines and T-cells (Gordeladze, Reseland et al 2009;Gruber 2010;Hanada, Hanada et al 2010;Pacifici 2010), and exosomes shredded from immune cells (Valadi, Ekstrom et al 2007;Camussi, Deregibus et al 2010;Zomer, Vendrig et al 2010).…”