Bone remodelling articles from across Nature Portfolio

Angelozzi et al. uncover key mechanisms involved in physiological and pathological bone mass remodeling by showing that SOXC transcription factors regulate the bone formation and resorption balance via critical roles in LepR⁺ mesenchymal stem cells.

There is a strong need for the development of effective and safe disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs. Here, the authors show that 5-ASA, an anti-inflammatory drug used for ulcerative colitis, shows promise in treating osteoarthritis in mice by improving cartilage and reducing inflammation even when administered at late stages of disease.

3′-Sialyllactose alleviates the progression of osteoporosis by regulating bone homeostasis and may have a therapeutic effect as an anti-osteoporosis agent.

Osteoclasts are known for their role in bone resorption. A study now shows that a vascular–associated osteoclast subtype at the growth plate also regulates blood vessel growth in bone and is supported by type H endothelial cells. These type H capillaries, in turn, release proteinases that promote cartilage degradation.

The Wnt signalling pathway is the target of current anabolic therapies for osteoporosis. Studies in 2018 have revealed more about endogenous control of Wnt-related signalling, including mechanisms of natural Wnt inhibition and new anabolic signalling pathways that could be harnessed to overcome the challenges posed by current therapies.