Interferon-Gamma-Mediated Osteoimmunology

• Main Authors: Mengjia Tang, Li Tian, Guojing Luo, Xijie Yu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2018-06-01
• Series: Frontiers in Immunology
• Subjects: osteoimmunology; interferon-gamma; osteoclasts; osteoblasts; rheumatoid arthritis; postmenopausal osteoporosis
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fimmu.2018.01508/full

Osteoimmunology is the interdiscipline that focuses on the relationship between the skeletal and immune systems. They are interconnected by shared signal pathways and cytokines. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) plays important roles in immune responses and bone metabolism. IFN-γ enhances macrophage activation and antigen presentation. It regulates antiviral and antibacterial immunity as well as signal transduction. IFN-γ can promote osteoblast differentiation and inhibit bone marrow adipocyte formation. IFN-γ plays dual role in osteoclasts depending on its stage. Furthermore, IFN-γ is an important pathogenetic factor in some immune-mediated bone diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, postmenopausal osteoporosis, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This review will discuss the contradictory findings of IFN-γ in osteoimmunology and its clinical application potential.