The role of hematopoiesis in bone repair: an update

The repair of bone after injury requires the participation of many different immune cell populations, which are derived from the hematopoietic lineage. The field of osteoimmunology, or the study of the interactions between bone and the immune system, is a growing field with emerging impact on both the basic science and clinical aspects of fracture healing.

Despite previous focus on the innate immune system in fracture healing, recent studies have revealed an important role for the adaptive immune system in bone repair. The composition of adaptive and innate immune cell populations present at the fracture site is significantly altered during aging and diet-induced obesity, which may contribute to delayed healing. Recent data also suggest a complicated relationship between fracture repair and systemic inflammation, raising the possibility that immune populations from distant sites such as the gut can impact the bone repair process.

These findings have important implications for the treatment of fracture patients with antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs. Furthermore, the effects of systemic inflammation on fracture repair in the contexts of aging or obesity should be carefully interpreted, as they may not be uniformly detrimental.