Decoding Bone Pathology: Microenvironment, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Frontiers

Bone pathology operates within a unique and intricate microenvironment consisting of bone cells, hematopoietic cells, and immune cells, all embedded within a dense, mineralized extracellular matrix. Such complexity creates diverse interdependent responses to diseases and the administration of therapies. Adding to the complexity, bone is influenced by hormonal changes and mechanical stress, posing major challenges in diagnosing and treating bone diseases. Significant advances include understanding various bone pathologies and exploring the relationship between the bone microenvironment and systemic conditions. Despite progress in diagnostic technologies and therapeutic approaches, uncertainties remain regarding their impacts on disease progression and patient outcomes.

This Research Topic aims to unravel the intricate relationships within the bone microenvironment and its interaction with bone disease mechanisms and treatment methodologies. By focusing on the origins, progression, and individuals' responses to bone pathologies, it endeavors to highlight the newest diagnostic and therapeutic tools used to improve patient survival and quality of life. Particular emphasis is placed on both primary bone diseases and secondary bone complications related to systemic disorders, examining how these scenarios modify diagnosis and therapeutic efficiency.

To gather further insights into the microenvironmental and systemic interplay present in bone pathology, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Aetiology and pathogenesis of bone diseases

• Advanced imaging technologies for diagnosis and monitoring

• Molecular mechanisms driving bone pathology

• Genomics and epigenomics in bone disease

• Interaction of the microbiome with bone health and disorders

• Biomarkers for bone disease progression and healing processes

• Mechanisms of cancerous metastasis to the bone

• Interactions between the bone microenvironment and pathogenic conditions

• AI-driven diagnostics and precision medicine solutions

• Innovations in bone rehabilitation techniques and surgical methods

• Influence of metabolic disorders on bone integrity

• Structural bone alterations within disease frameworks

This Research Topic welcomes original research articles, reviews, and clinical studies.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review

Keywords: bone pathology, microenvironment, molecular mechanisms, diagnostic innovation, therapeutic strategies

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.