| Theme |
Functions of osteoclasts and their abnormality |
| Title |
Update on osteoimmunology |
| Author |
Masahiro Shinohara |
Department of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University |
| Author |
Hiroshi Takayanagi |
Department of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University / Japan Science and Technology Agency, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology, Takayanagi Osteonetwork Project |
| [ Summary ] |
Osteoimmunology is an interdisciplinary research field focused on the understanding of molecular interelationships between the immune and skeletal systems. Accumulating evidence has indicated that the immune and skeletal systems share a number of regulatory molecules including cytokines, receptors, signaling molecules and transcription factors. Therefore, the pathology of one system may very well affect the other. It is well documented that enhanced bone resorption is associated with activation of the immune system observed in autoimmune or inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and periodonal diseases. Research in the field of osteoimmunology promise discovery of new treatment strategies and the development of innovative drugs to cure or alleviate bone loss in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases as well as in osteoporosis.
This article provides an introduction to bone remodeling and the cells governing that process and summarizes the most recent discoveries in the interdisciplinary field of osteoimmunology. |