Role of Cytokines in Bone Diseases and Their Therapeutic Application

Bone tissue is comprised of three primary cell types: osteoclasts, the bone resorbing cells; osteoblasts, the bone forming cells; and osteocytes, the cell type involved in mechanotransduction. Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells of hematopoietic origin that degrade bone, while osteoblasts arise from mesenchymal stem cells to synthesize bone matrix. Osteocytes, differentiated from osteoblasts, sense mechanical strain, coordinate with osteoclasts and osteoblasts, and regulate bone remodeling. Cytokines produced during immune responses to infections and autoimmune diseases significantly influence bone homeostasis and metabolism. This review elucidates the roles of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in bone cell differentiation and function, including their activation of downstream epigenetic and metabolic pathways underlying bone remodeling. Additionally, we discussed how we can exploit these cytokines therapeutically to manage infection or inflammatory diseases related to bone diseases and disorders.