Osteopetrosis - A Rare Disease: A New Treatment

Osteopetrosis describes a group of at least 8 inherited disorders of reduced osteoclast function that results in failure of bone resorption and a generalized increase in bone density. In some of these disorders there is an abnormality in bone marrow stem cells that affects osteoclasts and macrophages. Abnormalities of macrophages and neutophil activation partially explain the high susceptibility to infection. In other disorders abnormal osteoclast function may result from local environmental products that Influence cellular differentiation or regulation.