Bone Abstracts

The murine osteoprogenitor cell line, KS483 (Percuros, The Netherlands) is a well-established model for investigation of osteoblast differentiation and bone formation processes. The mesenchymal characteristics of this cell line allow it to differentiate into either adipocytes or mature, mineralizing osteoblasts. Various phases can be distinguished during osteoblast differentiation and maturation; namely proliferation, matrix formation, matrix maturation, and mineralization.</p...

Since the identification of LRP5 as the causative gene for the osteoporosis pseudoglioma syndrome (OPPG) as well as the high bone mass (HBM) phenotype, LRP5 and the Wnt/β-catenin signalling have been extensively studied for their role in the differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts, in the apoptosis of osteoblasts and osteocytes and in the response of bone to mechanical loading. However, more recently the direct effect of LRP5 on osteoblasts and bone formation has...

Recent studies confirmed the role of WNT16 in bone mineral density (BMD), bone strength and fracture risk. These findings made WNT16 interesting for further genetic and functional studies to clarify its effect on osteoporosis related parameters.A WNT16 candidate gene association study was performed in men from the Odense Androgen Study (OAS). Five tagSNPs and one multimarker test were selected for genotyping to cover most of th...

The R-spondins are a family of four small, secreted agonists of the Wnt signaling pathway. Growing evidence from both in vitro studies and in vivo models supports the major role of these proteins in the skeletal development processes. In humans, common genetic variation in the RSPO3 gene has been associated with BMD in large scale GWAS study.This study aimed at further investigation of the genetic and functional contributions of the R-s...