The Wnt signaling pathway in bone metabolism: Biology and therapeutic interventions

Wnt signaling has been shown to be an important regulatory pathway in the osteogenetic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Induction of the Wnt signaling pathway promotes bone formation, bone renewal and differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, while inactivation of the Wnt pathway leads to osteopenia. Activation and inactivation of Wnt signaling deviations during osteogenesis lead to sclerosis and osteoporosis, respectively. Study of the Wnt signaling mechanism and its interactions with other signaling pathways in bones provides potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of bone diseases. Although modification of the Wnt signal pathway has a variety of therapeutic possibilities, careful handling is required, because of the risk of oncogenesis. This paper reports on the role of Writ signaling in bone metabolism, the potential therapeutic targets, and the risks arising from intervention in Wnt signaling.