Beta-catenin signaling plays a disparate role in different phases of fracture repair: implications for therapy to improve bone healing.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Delayed fracture healing causes substantial disability and usually requires additional surgical treatments. Pharmacologic management to improve fracture repair would substantially improve patient outcome. The signaling pathways regulating bone healing are beginning to be unraveled, and they provide clues into pharmacologic management. The beta-catenin signaling pathway, which activates T cell factor (TCF)-dependent transcription, has emerged as a key regulator in embryonic skeletogenesis, positively regulating osteoblasts. However, its role in bone repair is unknown. The goal of this study was to explore the role of beta-catenin signaling in bone repair.

Methods and findings

Western blot analysis showed significant up-regulation of beta-catenin during the bone hea

SUBMITTER: Chen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1950214 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature