Journal of Inflammation Research

Bone-Immune System Crosstalk in Musculoskeletal Health and Disease

The Journal of Inflammation Research is pleased to welcome you to submit your research to the Article Collection "Bone-Immune System Crosstalk in Musculoskeletal Health and Disease".

Acute inflammation is a fundamental reparative response to injury in musculoskeletal tissues, orchestrating the recruitment of immune cells and the coordinated activity of osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and chondrocytes to remodel and restore damaged bone and cartilage. This intricate process is governed by a sophisticated network of immune signaling pathways and immunometabolic cues, maintaining a delicate homeostatic balance. The emerging field of osteoimmunology is dedicated to deciphering this critical crosstalk.

A bidirectional and dynamic dialogue between hematopoietic immune cells and resident skeletal cells is essential for effective tissue repair and the maintenance of musculoskeletal health. Disruption of this communication—whether by genetic predisposition, chronic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, or pathogen invasion—can tip the balance from regenerative healing to pathological tissue destruction. This dysregulation lies at the heart of numerous debilitating conditions, leading to chronic pain, loss of function, and significant morbidity, underscoring an urgent need for deeper mechanistic understanding.

The goal of this Article Collection is to bring to light the pivotal role that bones and the musculoskeletal system play in health and disease, and the translational implications of osteoimmunology, immunometabolism, and inflammation-mechanobiology.  Key topics include, but are not limited to:

1. Coordination of inflammatory processes and skeletal/immune cells involved in bone tissue repair
2. Conditions such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, characterized by inflammation and destruction of bone and cartilaginous tissue
3. Bone and joint infections such as septic arthritis and osteomyelitis
4. Arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis (including ankylosing spondylitis), and gout/gouty arthritis

Keywords: Osteoimmunology; Bone-Immune Crosstalk; Musculoskeletal Inflammation; Arthritis; Bone tissue repair

Meet the Guest Advisor

Dr. Yan Chen is an orthopedic surgeon and Associate Editor of the Journal of Inflammation Research. His research focuses on osteoimmunology, bone regeneration, and mechanobiology of the bone marrow microenvironment. He has led multiple translational research projects exploring bone–immune interactions in musculoskeletal diseases and serves as a reviewer and editor for several international journals. His work integrates clinical orthopedics with cutting-edge molecular and spatial technologies to advance understanding of skeletal inflammation and repair.