Full Text | PDF

Int J Med Sci 2012; 9(9):825-832. doi:10.7150/ijms.5180 This issue Cite

Review

Immune Regulation of Osteoclast Function in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Critical Interdisciplinary Perspective

Renqing Zhao^✉

College of Physical Education and Health Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Zhejiang Jinhua, China.

✉ Corresponding author: Renqing Zhao, College of Physical Education and Health Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, 321004 China. Tel: +86(579) 8229-8809 Fax: +86(579)8229-7990 Email: renzhaocn.

Abstract

Extensive studies on cross talk between immune and skeletal systems in autoimmune diseases give rise to a new discipline of 'osteoimmunolgy', which explores the molecular regulation of osteoclasts by immune system. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is recognized as a cytokine driven disease, but the mechanism that how estrogen deficiency interplaying with cytokines to stimulate bone loss remains to be elucidated. Although the effect of individual cytokines on osteoclast formation is well characterized, the major challenge is to fit a multitude of redundant pathways and cytokines into a systemic model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. This review presents current findings and hypothesis to explain estrogen deficiency-stimulated bone loss in a critical interdisciplinary perspective. To better understand the interaction between osteoclasts and immune system in postmenopausal osteoporosis, many of the lessons have been explored in animal models.

Keywords: estrogen deficiency, osteoimmunology, cytokine, osteoclast.

Citation styles

©2026 Ivyspring International Publisher. Terms of use