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Related Concept Videos

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling01:31

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...
Bone Remodeling01:40

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Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathways01:41

Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathways

Wnt is a zygotic effect gene that is expressed during very early embryonic development. It regulates various processes in animals starting from early development through the adult stage, such as organogenesis in the embryo and maintenance of neuronal and blood stem cells. Wnt proteins can induce a wide variety of intracellular pathways depending upon the specific abilities of different Wnt ligands to form a complex with shared and cognate receptors in the presence of different co-receptors. The...
Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathways01:41

Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathways

Wnt is a zygotic effect gene that is expressed during very early embryonic development. It regulates various processes in animals starting from early development through the adult stage, such as organogenesis in the embryo and maintenance of neuronal and blood stem cells. Wnt proteins can induce a wide variety of intracellular pathways depending upon the specific abilities of different Wnt ligands to form a complex with shared and cognate receptors in the presence of different co-receptors. The...
Hormones and Bone Tissue01:17

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The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
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Updated: May 20, 2026

A RANKL-based Osteoclast Culture Assay of Mouse Bone Marrow to Investigate the Role of mTORC1 in Osteoclast Formation
09:37

A RANKL-based Osteoclast Culture Assay of Mouse Bone Marrow to Investigate the Role of mTORC1 in Osteoclast Formation

Published on: March 15, 2018

Wntless functions in mature osteoblasts to regulate bone mass.

Zhendong Zhong1, Cassandra R Zylstra-Diegel, Cassie A Schumacher

  • 1Center for Skeletal Disease Research and Laboratory of Cell Signaling and Carcinogenesis, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|June 30, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Wntless (Wls) protein deficiency in osteoblasts severely impairs bone formation and accrual, leading to reduced bone density, fractures, and premature death in mice. This highlights Wntless

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Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow
06:17

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Published on: November 6, 2014

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Last Updated: May 20, 2026

A RANKL-based Osteoclast Culture Assay of Mouse Bone Marrow to Investigate the Role of mTORC1 in Osteoclast Formation
09:37

A RANKL-based Osteoclast Culture Assay of Mouse Bone Marrow to Investigate the Role of mTORC1 in Osteoclast Formation

Published on: March 15, 2018

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow
06:17

Osteoclast Derivation from Mouse Bone Marrow

Published on: November 6, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Bone Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Genome-wide association studies link Wntless (Wls)/Gpr177 gene variants to reduced bone mineral density.
  • Wntless (Wls) is a chaperone protein essential for Wnt ligand secretion.
  • Wnt signaling is critical for bone development and homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Wntless (Wls) in osteoblast function and bone mass accrual.
  • To determine the in vivo consequences of osteoblast-specific Wls deficiency.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of osteoblast-specific Wls-deficient mice (Ocn-Cre;Wls-flox).
  • Analysis of bone mass using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and microcomputed tomography.
  • Histomorphometric analysis and in vitro osteoblast differentiation assays.

Main Results:

  • Osteoblast-specific Wls deficiency resulted in significantly reduced bone mass and impaired bone formation.
  • Homozygous knockout mice exhibited spontaneous fractures and premature lethality.
  • Wls-deficient osteoblasts showed defects in differentiation and mineralization.

Conclusions:

  • Osteoblast-secreted Wnt ligands play a crucial role in bone mass accrual.
  • Wntless (Wls) is essential for maintaining bone health and integrity.
  • Targeting Wntless may offer therapeutic potential for bone disorders.