The role of Wnt/β-catenin pathway and LRP5 protein in metabolism of bone tissue and osteoporosis etiology

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease, manifested by decreased bone mineral density, microarchitectural disturbances of bone tissue, and increased risk of bone fractures. Owing to large-scale morbidity, particularly among postmenopausal women, nowadays osteoporosis constitutes a significant global health problem. In recent years, much attention has been paid to the role of signaling Wnt/β-catenin pathway and LRP protein in the pathomechanism of osteoporosis, indicating a possible contribution of polymorphic variants of the candidate LRP5 gene to disease development. The goal of our study is to present contemporary research on signaling Wnt/β-catenin pathway and mechanism of LRP protein action in the process of bone tissue metabolism and etiology of osteoporosis.