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Review
. 2018 Apr;16(2):138-145.
doi: 10.1007/s11914-018-0423-2.

The Role of the Immune Cells in Fracture Healing

Gurpreet S Baht  1   2   3 , Linda Vi  4 , Benjamin A Alman  5   6
Affiliations
Review

The Role of the Immune Cells in Fracture Healing

Gurpreet S Baht et al. Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2018 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Bone fracture healing is a complex physiological process relying on numerous cell types and signals. Inflammatory factors secreted by immune cells help to control recruitment, proliferation, differentiation, and activation of hematopoietic and mesenchymal cells. Within this review we will discuss the functional role of immune cells as it pertains to bone fracture healing. In doing so, we will outline the cytokines secreted and their effects within the healing fracture callus.

Recent findings: Macrophages have been found to play an important role in fracture healing. These immune cells signal to other cells of the fracture callus, modulating bone healing. Cytokines and cellular signals within fracture healing continue to be studied. The findings from this work have helped to reinforce the importance of osteoimmunity in bone fracture healing. Owing to these efforts, immunomodulation is emerging as a potential therapeutic target to improve bone fracture healing.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

Benjamin Alman and Gurpreet Baht declare no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Role of immune cells during fracture repair. Bone fracture healing can be viewed as a four-stage process. Immune cells play important roles throughout this process; however, a majority of their activity occurs during early stages of fracture healing.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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