Osteoimmunology: The Nexus between bone and immune system

Abstract

Osteoimmunology is an interdisciplinary research field which combines the existing fields of osteology (bone biology) and immunology under one umbrella. The observation that contributed enormously to the emergence of osteoimmunology as an independent field of investigation was the enhanced bone loss in various inflammatory bone diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and periodontitis. T helper cells (Th1, Th2, Treg and Th17) along with various other immune cells (B cells, DC, macrophages etc.) are actively involved in bone homeostasis. The present review thus provides an overview of the nexus between these two prominent systems (Bone and Immune system) of an organism, which reside in a common niche (bone marrow) and thus cross-communicate to modulate their respective development. Investigations in the field of osteoimmunology thus promise the advent of new era in the field with novel therapeutics for bone loss in various inflammatory conditions. A molecular insight into the field of osteoimmunology can lead to novel approaches for the prevention and treatment of diverse inflammatory conditions such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.