The Microbiome and Bone and Joint Disease

Abstract

Purpose of review: Changes in the constituents and activity of the microbiome have been associated with a number of conditions linked to bone and joint disease. This review concentrates on ways in which the microbiome is known to influence osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

Recent findings: Animal studies have demonstrated that changes in the microbiome can mediate the effects of obesity on cartilage degeneration. Additionally, the microbiome influences the amount of the bone (bone quantity), as well as bone tissue material properties (bone quality). Early clinical findings support the effects of the microbiome on osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Although animal studies implicate the microbiome in the development of bone and joint disease, available results are limited and can be conflicting. Further investigation of the mechanisms linking from changes in the microbiome to alterations in the bones and joints are necessary.

Keywords: Bone; Inflammation; Microbiome; Osteoarthritis; Osteoporosis.

Figure 1

A cartoon illustrating host-microbe interactions at the gut endothelial barrier is shown. Three primary ways of influencing the systemic circulation are shown: alterations in nutritional absorption, stimulation of resident immune cells and translocation of microbial associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) across the endothelial barrier. Factors are distributed to the bone and joint through the systemic circulation. Abbreviations: DC – Dendritic Cell, EC – Endothelial Cell, MAMPs – Microbial Associated Molecular Patterns. From [11] used with permission.