Osteoporosis – an immune mediated disease?

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by low bone mass and increased bone fragility, putting patients at risk of fractures. Although ageing and estrogen deficiency are probably the two most important risk factors, osteoporosis can occur in any age of life. Currently, growing understanding of bone physiology suggests that factors involved in inflammation are linked with those critical for bone remodelling process, supporting the theory that immune system significantly contributes to the aetiopathogenesis of osteoporosis.

Section editor:Martin Braddock – Discovery BioScience, AstraZeneca R&D Charnwood, Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, UK