Cross-talk between T cells and osteoclasts in bone resorption

Osteoclasts (OCs) are the exclusive bone resorptive cell, they derive from monocyte/macrophage precursors, which can circulate within the hematopoietic cell pool or be resident in a number of tissues. The maintenance of an adequate bone mass depends on the controlled and timely removal of old, damaged bone. The increase of OC activity is observed in many pathologies characterised by bone loss, such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, bone metastasis, periprosthetic osteolysis in aseptic loosening of arthroplasty and also in pediatric diseases, such as phenilketonuria and 21-hydroxylase deficiency. During the bone resorption process there is an intense cross-talk between immune system cells and OCs. In particular, T cells release factors and cytokines, which rule osteoclastogenesis, and on the other hand, OCs produce factors that act on T cells. A primary mediator of osteoclastogenesis is the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κβ-RANK ligand-osteoprotegerin system, but also other cytokines promote OC activation according to the different pathologies. This review summarizes the main mechanisms promoting osteoclastogenesis in diseases characterised by bone loss, focusing on factors and cytokines involved in this process and on the interaction between OCs and T cells.