WNT signaling and chondrocytes: from cell fate determination to osteoarthritis physiopathology

AbstractContext: Osteoarthritis (OA) is an articular disorder leading to the degradation of articular cartilage phenotypical chondrocytes modifications, including the acquisition of a fibroblast-like morphology, decreased expression of collagen type II, and increased expression of fetal collagen type I, metalloproteinase 13 and nitric oxide synthase. This promotes matrix degradation and unsuccessful cartilage repair. WNT signaling constitutes one of the most critical biological processes during cell fate assignment and homeostasis. Objectives: This review aims to give an insight on results from the studies that were interested in the involvement of WNT in OA. Methods: Studies were selected through a pubmed search. Results: Recent genetic data showed that aberration in WNT signaling may be involved in OA. WNT signals are transduced through at least three cascades: the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway, the WNT/Ca2+ pathway and the WNT/planar cell polarity pathway. Most of the studies used in-vitro models to ...