PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Bergin, Stephen M.
AU  - Crutcher, Clifford L.
AU  - Keeler, Carolyn
AU  - Rocos, Brett
AU  - Haglund, Michael M.
AU  - Michael Guo, H.
AU  - Gottfried, Oren N.
AU  - Richardson, William J.
AU  - Than, Khoi D.
TI  - Osteoimmunology: Interactions With the Immune System in Spinal Fusion
AID  - 10.14444/8556
DP  - 2023 Nov 28
TA  - International Journal of Spine Surgery
PG  - 8556
4099  - https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/early/2023/11/10/8556.short
4100  - https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/early/2023/11/10/8556.full
AB  - 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.