IBMS BoneKEy | Perspective

Hedgehog signaling in postnatal bone

Jean B Regard
Yingzi Yang

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DOI:10.1138/20080324

Abstract

While it has been known for some time that hedgehog signaling plays a critical role in regulating skeletal development, its role in skeletal homeostasis is only beginning to be understood. New data from several groups using mouse models suggest this pathway continues to be important in controlling growth plate maturation and bone homeostasis in adult mice. Loss of hedgehog signaling in postnatal chondrocytes, either genetically or pharmacologically, leads to loss of epiphyseal growth plates with premature fusion and shortened stature. Hedgehog signaling is also important for regulating the delicate balance between osteoblast and osteoclast function in adult bone, and increased hedgehog signaling can either increase or decrease bone mass depending on the strength and spatial-temporal pattern of activation. While initial observations suggest that targeting the hedgehog pathway may be of therapeutic interest, care must be taken in choosing the most effective strategy.

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