Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 12, 2025

Cell-based Assay Protocol for the Prognostic Prediction of Idiopathic Scoliosis Using Cellular Dielectric Spectroscopy
Published on: October 16, 2013
Sclerostin and Its Involvement in the Pathogenesis of Idiopathic Scoliosis
Elias S Vasiliadis1, Dimitrios Stergios Evangelopoulos1, Angelos Kaspiris2
13rd Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, KAT Hospital, 16541 Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
Idiopathic scoliosis is a disorder of unknown etiology. Bone biopsies from idiopathic scoliosis patients revealed changes at cellular and molecular level. Osteocytic sclerostin is downregulated, and serum level of sclerostin is decreased. Osteocytes in idiopathic scoliosis appear to be less active with abnormal canaliculi network. Differentiation of osteoblasts to osteocytes is decelerated, while Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is overactivated and affects normal bone mineralization that leads to inferior mechanical properties of the bone, which becomes susceptible to asymmetrical forces and causes deformity of the spinal column. Targeting bone metabolism during growth by stimulating sclerostin secretion from osteocytes and restoring normal function of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway could, in theory, increase bone strength and prevent deterioration of the scoliotic deformity.
Related Concept Videos
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification

