title: Postmenopausal osteoporosis: the role of immune system cells.
abstract: In the last years, new evidences of the relationship between immune system and bone have been accumulated both in animal models and in humans affected by bone disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, bone metastasis, periodontitis, and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue with a subsequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures. The combined effects of estrogen deprivation and raising of FSH production occurring in menopause cause a marked stimulation of bone resorption and a rapid bone loss which is central for the onset of postmenopausal osteoporosis. This review focuses on the role of immune system in postmenopausal osteoporosis and on therapeutic strategies targeting osteoimmunology pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy. mariafelicia.faienza@uniba.it
authors.forename: Maria Felicia
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Faienza
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.forename: Flaviana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marzano
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cavallo
mesh_terms: D015519:Bone Density / Q000276:immunology; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000172:deficiency / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004967:Estrogens; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone