The roles of natural killer cells in bone and arthritic disease: a narrative review

The skeletal system is responsible for the body’s support and motor functions, and can be pathologically affected by factors, such as metabolism, autoimmune inflammation, tumors, and infections. Regarding tissue localization and biological function, the immune system is deeply involved in the physio...

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Main Authors: Yiming Zhao, Qian Liu, Jinmin Zhao, Dezhi Song
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-05-01
Series:Immunological Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/25785826.2025.2506260
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author Yiming Zhao
Qian Liu
Jinmin Zhao
Dezhi Song
author_facet Yiming Zhao
Qian Liu
Jinmin Zhao
Dezhi Song
author_sort Yiming Zhao
collection DOAJ
description The skeletal system is responsible for the body’s support and motor functions, and can be pathologically affected by factors, such as metabolism, autoimmune inflammation, tumors, and infections. Regarding tissue localization and biological function, the immune system is deeply involved in the physiological and pathological processes of the skeletal system. As a regulator and effector cell of the innate immune system, natural killer (NK) cells can exert cytotoxic effects through cell contact and immunomodulatory effects through cytokine secretion. In the past 30 years, many advances have been made regarding the role of NK cells and their derived cytokines on bone and joints. In this review, the role of NK cells in the physiological activities of bone remodeling is summarized first, focusing on osteoclast differentiation and function. Subsequently, the roles of NK cells in osteoarthritis, bone tumors, and bone diseases caused by microbial infections are described, meanwhile, some conflicting research results are discussed. By reviewing the state-of-the-art progress of NK cells in the above-mentioned bone physiological and pathological processes, it is helpful to clarify the blind spots of current research and provide some references for the integrated evaluation of immune factors in the study of skeletal system diseases.
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spelling doaj-art-a2cee8460ead426f8733645ced847e972025-08-20T01:52:03ZengTaylor & Francis GroupImmunological Medicine2578-58262025-05-0111410.1080/25785826.2025.2506260The roles of natural killer cells in bone and arthritic disease: a narrative reviewYiming Zhao0Qian Liu1Jinmin Zhao2Dezhi Song3Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Orthopaedic Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Orthopaedic Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Orthopaedic Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Orthopaedic Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. ChinaThe skeletal system is responsible for the body’s support and motor functions, and can be pathologically affected by factors, such as metabolism, autoimmune inflammation, tumors, and infections. Regarding tissue localization and biological function, the immune system is deeply involved in the physiological and pathological processes of the skeletal system. As a regulator and effector cell of the innate immune system, natural killer (NK) cells can exert cytotoxic effects through cell contact and immunomodulatory effects through cytokine secretion. In the past 30 years, many advances have been made regarding the role of NK cells and their derived cytokines on bone and joints. In this review, the role of NK cells in the physiological activities of bone remodeling is summarized first, focusing on osteoclast differentiation and function. Subsequently, the roles of NK cells in osteoarthritis, bone tumors, and bone diseases caused by microbial infections are described, meanwhile, some conflicting research results are discussed. By reviewing the state-of-the-art progress of NK cells in the above-mentioned bone physiological and pathological processes, it is helpful to clarify the blind spots of current research and provide some references for the integrated evaluation of immune factors in the study of skeletal system diseases.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/25785826.2025.2506260Natural killer cellsbone remodelingarthritisskeletal tumorinfection
spellingShingle Yiming Zhao
Qian Liu
Jinmin Zhao
Dezhi Song
The roles of natural killer cells in bone and arthritic disease: a narrative review
Immunological Medicine
Natural killer cells
bone remodeling
arthritis
skeletal tumor
infection
title The roles of natural killer cells in bone and arthritic disease: a narrative review
title_full The roles of natural killer cells in bone and arthritic disease: a narrative review
title_fullStr The roles of natural killer cells in bone and arthritic disease: a narrative review
title_full_unstemmed The roles of natural killer cells in bone and arthritic disease: a narrative review
title_short The roles of natural killer cells in bone and arthritic disease: a narrative review
title_sort roles of natural killer cells in bone and arthritic disease a narrative review
topic Natural killer cells
bone remodeling
arthritis
skeletal tumor
infection
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/25785826.2025.2506260
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