title: Effects of inflammation on bone: an update.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present an updated summary of the relationship between inflammation and localized and generalized bone loss in the rheumatic diseases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In addition to the well established role of inflammatory cytokines in promoting enhanced osteoclast function and bone loss, recent work has discovered the cytokine milieu may also inhibit osteoblast function and bone repair. The WNT and bone morphogenetic protein pathways provide molecular links between inflammation and altered bone homeostasis in chronic inflammatory states. These pathways and others have been the targets of emerging therapies for the management of inflammatory bone loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inflammation and bone loss are linked through a number of molecular pathways. Both of these processes need to be addressed when designing an effective treatment strategy for the rheumatic diseases.
authors.affiliation: University of California, Department of Medicine, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
authors.forename: Julie C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Baker-LePain
authors.forename: Mary C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Nancy E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Lane
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D010000:Osteitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology