Wnt signalling in the articular cartilage: A matter of balance

Degradation of the articular cartilage is a hallmark of osteoarthritis, a progressive and chronic musculoskeletal condition, affecting millions of people worldwide. The activation of several signalling cascades is altered during disease development: among them, the Wnt signalling plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Increasing evidence is showing that its activation needs to be maintained within a certain range to avoid the triggering of degenerative mechanisms. In this review, we summarise our current knowledge about how a balanced activation of the Wnt signalling is maintained in the articular cartilage, with a particular focus on receptor-mediated mechanisms.

Automated summary

Degradation of the articular cartilage is a characteristic of osteoarthritis, which is a progressive and chronic musculoskeletal disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Among the various signalling pathways involved in disease development, the Wnt signalling plays a crucial role in maintaining tissue homeostasis. It is increasingly evident that a balanced activation of the Wnt signalling is necessary to prevent degenerative mechanisms. This review summarizes our current understanding of how the Wnt signalling is regulated in the articular cartilage, with a particular emphasis on receptor-mediated mechanisms.