title: Immunological function in osteoporosis.
abstract: An imbalance of osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption is thought to be responsible for the osteoporotic condition. The pathological events leading to this disorder are, in most instances, uncertain. A defect in the ability of osteoporotic patients to respond to foreign histocompatibility antigens in a mixed leukocyte reaction is reported here. The results further show that this defect is due both to a poorly responding lymphocyte population as well as to a suppressor factor in osteoporotic sera. In addition, there is a significant increase in the relative and absolute numbers of T cells in the patients' peripheral blood, while serum IgG, IgA, and IgM remain within the normal range. These findings are discussed in the light of a common immunopathological pathway regulating osteoclastic activity and leading to the osteoporotic condition.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Duke-Cohan
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharon
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Naor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M