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Type 17 T-helper cells might be a promising therapeutic target for osteoporosis

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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.

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Acknowledgment

This study was supported by the China National Science Foundation Grant Nos. 30901526.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Central Laboratory, The Third Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Wuxi, 214041, Jiangsu, China

    Feng-Lai Yuan

  2. The Third Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Wuxi, 214041, Jiangsu, China

    Xia Li, Wei-Guo Lu, Yi-Qing Zhao, Cheng-Wan Li, Jian-Ping Li & Jun-Ming Sun

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Wuxi, 214041, Jiangsu, China

    Rui-Sheng Xu

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  1. Feng-Lai Yuan
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  2. Xia Li
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  3. Wei-Guo Lu
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  4. Yi-Qing Zhao
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  5. Cheng-Wan Li
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  7. Jun-Ming Sun
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  8. Rui-Sheng Xu
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Correspondence to Feng-Lai Yuan or Rui-Sheng Xu.

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Yuan, FL., Li, X., Lu, WG. et al. Type 17 T-helper cells might be a promising therapeutic target for osteoporosis. Mol Biol Rep 39, 771–774 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-011-0797-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-011-0797-z

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