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 Dec 01 TA - International Journal of Spine Surgery PG - S9--S17 VI - 17 IP - S3 4099 - https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/17/S3/S9.short 4100 - https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/17/S3/S9.full SO - Int J Spine Surg2023 Dec 01; 17 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.