Bone defects: molecular and cellular therapeutic targets

Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2014 Jun:51:75-8. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2014.03.025. Epub 2014 Apr 2.

Abstract

Bone defects are one of the most serious pathologies that need tissue regeneration therapies. Studies on mesenchymal stem cells are changing the way we treat bone diseases. MSCs have been used for the treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta, hypophosphatasia, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In this context, it is becoming ever more clear that the future of therapies will be based on the use of stem cells. In this concise review, we highlight the importance of the use of MSCs in bone diseases, focusing on the role of histone deacetylases and Wnt pathways involved in osteogenesis. A better understanding of MSC biology and osteogenesis is needed in order to develop new and targeted therapeutic strategies for the treatment of bone diseases/disorders.

Keywords: Bone disease; Histone deacetylases; Mesenchymal stem cells; Wnt pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Diseases / enzymology
  • Bone Diseases / pathology
  • Bone Diseases / therapy*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Histone Deacetylases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Osteogenesis
  • Signal Transduction
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway

Substances

  • Histone Deacetylases