Macrophage-driven pathological ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: mechanistic insights and therapeutic opportunities
Huohuo Xue, Tsutomu Endo, Ken Kadoya, Norimasa Iwasaki, M. Alaa Terkawi · 2026
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Description
Huohuo Xue and four co-authors review a spinal disease in a 2026 paper. In this condition, a ligament along the spine slowly turns to bone. The new bone presses on the spinal cord and weakens limb control. Genes and metabolism play a part, but the review centers on immune cells called macrophages.
These cells shift shape and role based on signals around them. One form keeps low grade inflammation alive in the ligament. Another form, oddly, speeds the disease by laying down scar like tissue. Together they build a low oxygen niche where bone can form. Similar cell behavior appears in other stray bone diseases. The authors ask whether calming these cells could open new treatments.
Catalog record
| CREATOR | Huohuo Xue, Tsutomu Endo, Ken Kadoya, Norimasa Iwasaki, M. Alaa Terkawi |
|---|---|
| YEAR | 2026 |
| COLLECTION | PAPERS |
| FORMAT | TXT |
| FILE SIZE | 80 KB |
| VERSION | 1.0 |
| LICENSE | CC BY 4.0 |
| RIGHTS | CC BY |
| SOURCE | Europe PMC |