Immunology of osteoporosis: relevance of inflammatory targets for the development of novel interventions

Osteoporosis is recognized as low bone mass and deteriorated bone microarchitecture. It is the leading cause of fractures and consequent morbidity globally. The established pathophysiological evidence favors the endocrine factors for osteoporosis and the role of the immune system on the skeletal system has been recently identified. Due to the common developmental niche bone and immune system interactions have led to the emergence of osteoimmunology. Immune dysregulation can initiate inflammatory conditions that adversely affect bone integrity. The role of immune cells, such as T-lymphocytes subsets (Th17), cannot be neglected in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Local inflammation within the bone from any cause attracts immune cells that participate in the activation of osteoclasts. This work summarizes the present knowledge of osteoimmunology in reference to osteoporosis and identifies novel targets for immunotherapy of osteoporosis.

Automated summary

Osteoporosis, characterized by low bone mass and deteriorated bone microarchitecture, is a major cause of fractures and morbidity worldwide. Recent studies have identified the role of the immune system in the skeletal system, leading to the emergence of osteoimmunology. Immune dysregulation can cause inflammation and adversely affect bone integrity. T-lymphocyte subsets (Th17) play a significant role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Therefore, studying osteoimmunology is important for understanding osteoporosis and developing immunotherapy strategies.