Knoglevævets cytokinsystem

Bone turnover is controlled by the hormone system, as well as locally by cytokines, growth factors and other locally produced and locally acting factors. Cytokines are traditionally grouped into those with bone formation-enhancing activity and those that induce bone resorption. To the former group belong the insulin-like growth factors I and II, transforming growth factor β, bone morphogenetic proteins and osteoprotegerin. To the latter group belong the receptor activator of the κ B receptor, interleukins 1, 6 and 11 and tumor necrosis factor a, among others. During the last decades, we have gained a greater insight into the role of cytokines in basic biological functions, as well as their role in health and disease. This knowledge will presumably result in new treatment modalities targeting metabolic bone diseases, as a number of new drugs based on cytokines and their antagonists are being investigated for clinical use.