Genetic strategies for elucidating insulin-like growth factor action in bone

While it is universally accepted that IGFs serve important roles in bone acquisition and maintenance, the precise cellular targets and molecular mechanisms responsible for their actions have remained poorly understood. Recent advances in genetic techniques to manipulate the mouse genome have enabled the examination of individual components of the IGF system in vivo. Observations in these mouse models have provided new insights into the skeletal actions of IGF which have significant implications for understanding IGF action in human bone.