title: The role of T cells in osteoporosis, an update.
abstract: Emerging evidence highlights the importance of the interplay between the bone and immune systems. That evidence bolsters a longstanding recognition that estrogen deficiency, infection, inflammation, and autoimmune disorders are associated with systemic and local bone loss. Yet, only recently has an understanding emerged that T lymphocytes and their products act as key regulators of osteoclast formation, life span, and activity. This review presents this understanding of the process of T lymphocytes and their products mediating osteoporosis and explores some of the most recent findings and hypotheses to explain their action in bone. A more complete appreciation of the interactions between immune and bone cells should lead to targeted therapeutic strategies for diseases that affect either or both systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Aerospace General Hospital Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yuying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Cahill
authors.forename: Wenlu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jack T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Xudong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang