Wnt／β—catenin信号通路在骨关节炎和大骨节病发病中的作用及研究进展

The role and research progress of Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis or Kashin-Beck disease

骨关节炎是以关节软骨的破坏、骨赘形成及关节间隙变窄为特征的慢性退变性关节疾病．严重影响患者的生活质量，然而其发病机制目前仍不十分清楚。大骨节病是一种发生在5～15岁儿童的地方性、多发性、变形性骨关节病，病因和发病机制未明。Wnt／β-连环蛋白（β-catenin）信号通路参与胚胎软骨的发育及维持成人骨骼的稳定，是调控软骨细胞生长、发育和分化的一个关键通路。作者就Wnt43．catenin信号通路在骨关节炎和大骨节病发病中的作用和研究进展进行了综述。

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, degenerative joint disease characterized by destruction of articular cartilage, osteophyte formation and narrowing of the joint space, which seriously affects the life quality of patients. However, the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis is still not clear. Kashin-Beck disease （KBD） is an endemic, chronic and deformative osteoarthropathy that mainly occurs in children aged 5 - 15 years old. The etiology and pathogenesis of KBD are still unclear. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in the development of embryonic cartilage and maintaining the stability of adult bones, which is a key pathway regulating the growth, development and differentiation of chondrocytes. Therefore, the authors review the progress of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis or KBD.