title: Type 17 T-helper cells might be a promising therapeutic target for osteoporosis.
abstract: Osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, is a pressing public health problem. Recent studies have suggested a possible role of T-helper (Th) cells in the pathogenesis of bone loss which occurs in systemic inflammatory diseases. However, there are contradictions in the published literature regarding the functional role of Th1/Th2 cells in the regulation of the differentiation of osteoclasts. These paradoxes have now been clarified by the recent discovery of Th17 cells, a novel subset of Th cells that selectively secrete several proinflammatory cytokines, mainly IL-17. It has been confirmed that Th17 cells have stimulatory effects on osteoclastogenesis and accelerate bone loss in animal models with inflammatory disorders. Targeting Th17 cells or IL-17 may inhibit the bone resorption with RA. Thus, we are led to suppose that Th17 cells might be promising therapeutic targets in osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, The Third Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Wuxi, 214041, Jiangsu, China. bjjq88@163.com
authors.forename: Feng-Lai
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wei-Guo
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Yi-Qing
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Cheng-Wan
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jian-Ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jun-Ming
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Rui-Sheng
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020381:Interleukin-17