Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026

Skeletal Phenotype Analysis of a Conditional Stat3 Deletion Mouse Model
Published on: July 3, 2020
JAK1/STAT3 signalling in cortical bone development, growth and maintenance
Natalie Y Y Koh1, Christa Maes2, Natalie A Sims3
1St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine at St. Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Australia; Laboratory of Skeletal Cell Biology and Physiology (SCEBP), Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center (SBE), Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract:
STAT3 (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3) signalling plays essential roles in the development, growth, and maintenance of the thick outer structure of bone (cortical bone). Cytokines using this pathway, particularly IL-6 (Interleukin-6) family members, influence cortical structure through actions on the major cell types of bone, including chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts. This review outlines how STAT3 signalling regulates the cellular processes involved in cortical bone development in long bones and calvariae during embryogenesis and in postnatal life, including consolidation of the cortical structure in growth and response to mechanical load. We discuss how mouse models with global and cell lineage-specific genetic modifications reveal how STAT3 signalling in the osteoblast lineage, which is stimulated by cytokines and subject to negative feedback from SOCS3 (Suppressor of Cytokine Signalling 3), contributes to normal cortical bone maturation and maintenance. We also discuss the potential contributions of STAT3 signalling to age-related cortical bone loss. While these signals are clearly important for both long bone and calvarial cortical development and maintenance, much remains to be resolved.
Related Concept Videos
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue
Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into ...
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Bone Remodeling

