Formyl peptide receptors in bone research

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Rheumatology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) are crucial immune mediators involved in infection and inflammation.
• Their specific roles in the pathogenesis of musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis (OA), degenerative disc disease (DDD), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) require detailed examination.

Approach:

• A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE databases, covering studies from 1965 to March 2022.
• Keywords included "FPR, tissue expression, inflammation, infection, musculoskeletal disorder, bone, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, mitochondria."

Key Points:

• Sixty-nine studies were reviewed, revealing FPRs' ubiquitous involvement in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of common musculoskeletal disorders.
• FPRs show potential for earlier diagnosis of OA and DDD and may be used with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to reverse pathologies.
• In RA, FPRs exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-osteolytic, and pro-angiogenic functions, potentially expanding therapeutic strategies.

Conclusions:

• Formyl peptide receptors are deeply implicated in the pathogenesis of prevalent musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis and degenerative disc disease.
• FPRs hold considerable promise for the diagnosis and treatment of these debilitating conditions.
• Further exploration of FPR roles is essential for advancing clinical applications.