title: Sclerostin is overexpressed by plasma cells from multiple myeloma patients.
abstract: Sclerostin, an osteocyte-expressed negative regulator of bone formation, is one of the inhibitors of Wnt signaling that is a critical pathway in the correct process of osteoblast differentiation. It has been demonstrated that Wnt signaling through the secretion of Wnt inhibitors, such as DKK1, sFRP-2, and sFRP-3, plays a key role in the decreased osteoblast activity associated with multiple myeloma (MM) bone disease. We provide evidence that sclerostin is expressed by myeloma cells that are human myeloma cell lines and plasma cells (CD138(+)  cells) obtained from the bone marrow (BM) of a large number of MM patients with bone disease. Moreover, we show that there are no differences in sclerostin serum levels between MM patients and controls. Thus, our data indicate that MM cells, as a sclerostin source in the BM, could create a microenvironment with high sclerostin concentration that could contribute toward inhibiting osteoblast differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Science, Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. g.brunetti@biotec.uniba.it
authors.forename: Giacomina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brunetti
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oranger
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Giorgina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Specchia
authors.forename: Erminia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Curci
authors.forename: Alberta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zallone
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rizzi
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grano
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Colucci
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D005819:Genetic Markers; C422903:SOST protein, human