Dkk1 acts as a negative regulator in the osteogenic differentiation of the posterior longitudinal ligament cells

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a spinal disorder characterized by progressive ectopic bone formation in the PLL of the spine. Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1) is a secreted inhibitor of the Wnt pathway that negatively regulates bone formation during skeletal development. However, whether Dkk1 impacts the pathogenesis of OPLL has not been reported. This study is to investigate the role of Dkk1 in the development of OPLL. Our results show that the serum levels of Dkk1 are decreased in OPLL patients compared with non-OPLL controls. The expression of Dkk1 is also reduced in OPLL ligament cells. Downregulation of Dkk1 in ligament cells is associated with activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, as indicated by stabilized beta-catenin and increased T-cell factor-dependent transcriptional activity. Functionally, Dkk1 exerts a growth-inhibitory effect by repressing proliferation but promoting apoptosis of ligament cells. Dkk1 also suppresses bone morphogenetic protein 2-induced entire osteogenic differentiation of ligament cells, and this suppression is mediated via its inhibition of the Wnt pathway. Our results demonstrate for the first time that Dkk1 acts as an important negative regulator in the ossification of the PLL. Targeting the Wnt pathway using Dkk1 may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of OPLL.