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Interorgan Communications in Skeletal Pathophysiology: From Molecular Pathways to Multidisciplinary Therapies
Donghao Gan1,2, Lei Qin3, Guozhi Xiao1
1Department of Biochemistry, Homeostatic Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
Research (Washington, D.C.)
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Organ-bone communication networks are crucial for maintaining health and treating bone diseases like osteoporosis. Understanding these axes, including gut-bone-immune and neuro-immune-bone pathways, offers new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Metabolism
- Neuroscience
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Organ communication is vital for physiological and pathological processes.
- Bone is intricately regulated by endocrine, immune, metabolic, and neural networks.
- Bone diseases like osteoporosis and arthritis are linked to other organ systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review recent advances in organ-bone communication.
- To highlight mechanistic innovations in interorgan axes.
- To discuss clinical relevance and future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of current literature on organ-bone crosstalk.
- Focus on mechanistic insights into specific axes (e.g., gut-bone-immune, neuro-immune-bone).
- Examination of circulating biomarkers and imaging techniques.
Main Results:
- Organ-bone axes are critical for maintaining bone homeostasis and overall health.
- Specific axes like the gut-bone-immune, neuro-immune-bone, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes influence bone pathophysiology.
- Circulating biomarkers and advanced imaging reflect organ-bone crosstalk.
Conclusions:
- Organ-bone communication is fundamental to bone health and disease.
- Understanding these axes provides opportunities for improved diagnostics and treatments.
- Further research is needed to address current gaps in managing bone diseases.
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