DNA methylation regulates sclerostin (SOST) expression in osteoarthritic chondrocytes by bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) induced changes in Smads binding affinity to the CpG region of SOST promoter

Sclerostin (SOST), a soluble antagonist of Wnt signaling, is expressed in chondrocytes and contributes to chondrocytes' hypertrophic differentiation; however its role in osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis is not well known. Based on our previous findings on the interaction between Wnt/β-catenin pathway and BMP-2 in OA, we aimed to investigate the role of DNA methylation and BMP-2 on SOST's expression in OA chondrocytes. SOST mRNA and protein expression levels were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot, respectively. The methylation status of SOST promoter... Mehr ...