gp130 cytokine family and bone cells

Bone tissue is continually being remodelled according to physiological circ umstances, Two main cell populations (osteoblasts and osteoclasts) are invo lved in this process, and cellular activities (including cell differentiati on) are modulated by hormones, cytokines and growth factors, Within the las t 20 years, many factors involved in bone tissue metabolism have been found to be closely related to the inflammatory process. More recently, a cytoki ne family sharing a common signal transducer (gp130) had been identified, w hich appears to be a key factor in bone remodelling, This family includes i nterleukin 6, interleukin 11, oncostatin M, leukaemia inhibitory factor, ci liary neurotrophic factor and cardiotrophin-1. This paper provides an exhau stive review of recent knowledge on the involvement of gp130 cytokine famil y in bone cell (osteoblast, osteoclast, etc.) differentiation/activation an d in osteoarticular pathologies. (C) 2000 Academic Press.