Role of the Wnt signaling pathway

Wnt signaling diverts the mesenchymal stem cells down the pathway of osteoblast differentiation. DKK-1 binds to the Wnt receptor complex on the surface of the osteoblast lineage cell and blocks Wnt signaling, arresting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. The precursors of the mature osteoblast enhance bone resorption by boosting RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Blockade of DKK-1 permits progression of osteoblast differentiation. Activation of the Wnt signaling pathway in the mature osteoblast upregulates OPG, which blocks RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis, resulting in inhibition of bone resorption.