title: Wnt signaling in ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: The mechanisms that lead to bony fusion in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are yet to be fully defined. In recent years, there have been several advances in our understanding of this complex disease. Here, the potential impact of the Wnt signaling pathway will be discussed. This pathway is involved in bone morphogenesis and homeostasis. Perturbations in the normal regulation have been implicated in abnormal bone formation (e.g., osteophytes). Levels of Wnt regulatory proteins like Dickkopf have been investigated as potential biomarkers of disease. This pathway might be involved in other aspects of this disease including T cell activation and differentiation, and in bone marrow adipogenesis. The pathways leading to the unique pathology and bony fusion in AS are complex and the Wnt pathway might play a critical contributing role.
authors.affiliation: , 9500 Gilman Dr., San Diego, CA, 92131-0663, USA, mcorr@ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: Maripat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corr
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010641:Phenotype; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C501126:DKK1 protein, human; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D051153:Wnt Proteins