Cytokines and Bone Metabolism

Cytokines are proteins that interact with other cells and act as messengers, conveying messages that affect various biological processes, including bone metabolism. Bone metabolism is the process of breaking down and forming new bone, and is important for skeletal development, remodeling, and repair. Cytokines that play a role in bone metabolism come in two varieties – osteotropic cytokines, which promote bone formation and development, and osteolytic cytokines, which promote bone resorption. Inadequate production of one type of cytokine can lead to conditions such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Knowing the role of cytokines in bone metabolism is important in helping to determine the cause of bone-degenerative diseases and for developing treatments for them.