| The dynamic balance between osteoblasts (OB) and osteoclasts (OC) regulates the homeostasis of bone remodeling. The imbalance between them may mediate the occurrence and development of a series of bone diseases, such as osteoporosis (OP), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and osteosclerosis. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is an inflammatory cytokine produced by activated macrophages/monocytes. TNF-α is a bone resorption enhancer and bone formation inhibitor. It regulates bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). The expression of BMSCs, OB, and OC-related signaling pathways, proteins, and genes attenuates osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, inhibits OB mineralization, and promotes the activation, proliferation, and maturation of OC, leading to the dynamic imbalance between bone formation and resorption, which disturbs bone reconstruction and promotes the progression of OP. Therefore, the author summarizes the relevant mechanism of TNF-α in OP by referring to relevant national and international literature, in order to provide a certain theoretical basis for further clinical research. |