Osteoimmunology: Interactions With the Immune System in Spinal Fusion

Stephen M Bergin; Clifford L Crutcher; Carolyn Keeler; Brett Rocos; Michael M Haglund; H Michael Guo; Oren N Gottfried; William J Richardson; Khoi D Than

doi:10.14444/8556

Osteoimmunology: Interactions With the Immune System in Spinal Fusion

Int J Spine Surg. 2023 Dec 27;17(S3):S9-S17. doi: 10.14444/8556.

Authors

Stephen M Bergin¹, Clifford L Crutcher¹, Carolyn Keeler¹, Brett Rocos², Michael M Haglund¹, H Michael Guo², Oren N Gottfried¹, William J Richardson², Khoi D Than³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Spine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
² Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Division of Spine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
³ Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Spine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA Khoi.Than@duke.edu.

PMID: 38050073
PMCID: PMC10753333
DOI: 10.14444/8556

Abstract

Spinal fusion is important for the clinical success of patients undergoing surgery, and the immune system plays an increasingly recognized role. Osteoimmunology is the study of the interactions between the immune system and bone. Inflammation impacts the osteogenic, osteoconductive, and osteoinductive properties of bone grafts and substitutes and ultimately influences the success of spinal fusion. Macrophages have emerged as important cells for coordinating the immune response following spinal fusion surgery, and macrophage-derived cytokines impact each phase of bone graft healing. This review explores the cellular and molecular immune processes that regulate bone homeostasis and healing during spinal fusion.

Keywords: bone grafts; macrophages; osteoimmunology; spinal fusion.

This manuscript is generously published free of charge by ISASS, the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery. Copyright © 2023 ISASS. To see more or order reprints or permissions, see http://ijssurgery.com.