Wnt signaling pathways in osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

Pan Jing-hua; Huang Hao; Zha Zhen-gang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2013.40.019

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that Wnt signaling pathways play an important role in the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. <br> OBJECTIVE:To review the mechanism and regulation of the Wnt signaling pathways, as wel as Wnt signaling pathway effects on osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. <br> METHODS:A computer-based search of PuMed database and CNKI database from September 1998 to March 2013 was performed to search related articles. The key words of“Wnt, mesenchymal stem cells, Wnt signaling pathways, osteoblastic differentiation, canonical wnt signaling pathway, non-canonical signaling pathway”in English or Chinese were used to search the articles in the title and the abstract. A total of 31 articles were included to review. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Wnt signaling pathways play a critical role in the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Canonical Wnt signaling pathway, non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway, and their mutli-factors were involved in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. The osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells can be promoted effectively via specific induction of Wnt signaling pathways. Wnt11, FZD6, sFRP2, sFRP3 and Ror2 expressions increase, while Wnt9a and FZD7 decreases during the regulation. However, the relations of factors in Wnt signaling pathways and how to use the mechanism of Wnt signaling for promoting mesenchymal stem cells faster, more accurate differentiation need further studies.