title: Sclerostin and Bone Aging: A Mini-Review.
abstract: Sclerostin, mainly produced by osteocytes, is now considered a major regulator of bone formation. Identified from patients with a low bone mass, sclerostin inhibits the Wnt pathway by binding to LRP5/6 and subsequently increases bone formation. Sclerostin may also play a role in the mediation of systemic and local factors such as calcitriol, PTH, glucocorticoids and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Circulating sclerostin levels increase with age and with the decline of kidney function. However, they are surprisingly higher in patients with a high bone mineral density, suggesting that sclerostin may be a relevant marker of the pool of mature osteocytes. The anti-anabolic properties lead to the development of anti-sclerostin biotherapies that are under current evaluation. The results of these clinical trials will open new promising opportunities for the treatment of osteoporosis and bone fragility fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Inserm U1132 Research Unit, Hôpital Lariboisière, University Paris-Diderot, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hay
authors.forename: Wafa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bouaziz
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Funck-Brentano
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cohen-Solal
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D005819:Genetic Markers; C422903:SOST protein, human