Therapeutic strategies against inflammation and bone loss associated with osteomyelitis.

Abstract Despite current treatment strategies, osteomyelitis is often refractory and recurrent. The bacteria responsible for osteomyelitis can invade bone-forming osteoblasts, which are active participants in the generation of damaging inflammation and bone loss at sites of infection. Therefore, strategies promoting cell-mediated immune responses while limiting inflammation are required for the treatment of chronic bone infections. This review describes the mechanisms utilized by resident bone cells to perceive bacteria, recruit leukocytes to sites of infection and promote osteoclast-mediated bone destruction, as well as novel targets for the therapeutic intervention of these processes.