Translating insights from development into regenerative medicine: the function of Wnts in bone biology.

TitleTranslating insights from development into regenerative medicine: the function of Wnts in bone biology.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsLeucht P, Minear S, ten Berge D, Nusse R, Helms JA
JournalSemin Cell Dev Biol
Volume19
Pagination434–443
Date PublishedOct
ISSN1084-9521 (Print); 1084-9521 (Linking)
AbstractThe Wnt pathway constitutes one of the most attractive candidates for modulating skeletal tissue regeneration based on its functions during skeletal development and homeostasis. Wnts participate in every stage of skeletogenesis, from the self-renewal and proliferation of skeletal stem cells to the specification of osteochondroprogenitor cells and the maturation of chondrocytes and osteoblasts. We propose that the function of Wnts depend upon a skeletogenic cell's state of differentiation. In this review we summarize recent data with a focus on the roles of Wnt signaling in mesenchymal stem cell fate, osteoprogenitor cell differentiation, chondrocyte maturation, bone remodeling, and bone regeneration.
DOI10.1016/j.semcdb.2008.09.002