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The Effects of Sclerostin on the Immune System

  • Osteoimmunology (M Nakamura and J Lorenzo, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Osteoporosis Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

We reviewed recent progress on the role of sclerostin (SOST) and its effects on the immune system in order to summarize the current state of knowledge in osteoimmunology, in regard to hematopoiesis, lymphopoiesis, and inflammation.

Recent Findings

Changes in sclerostin levels affect distinct niches within the bone marrow that support hematopoietic stem cells and B cell development. Sclerostin’s regulation of adipogenesis could also be important for immune cell maintenance with age. Surprisingly, B cell development in the bone marrow is influenced by Sost produced by mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts, but not by osteocytes. Additionally, extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spleen and increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the bone marrow are observed in global Sost−/− mice.

Summary

In addition to changes in bone marrow density, sclerostin depletion affects B lymphopoiesis and myelopoiesis, as well as other changes within the bone marrow cavity that could affect hematopoiesis. It is therefore important to monitor for hematopoietic changes in patients receiving sclerostin-depleting therapies.

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Authors’ Roles

Drafting and revising manuscript: CD and JOM; approving final version of manuscript: JOM.

Funding

This work was supported by University of California (UC), Merced faculty research funding, National Institutes of Health Award 1R15HL121786-01A1, Halcyon-Dixon Trust award to JOM, and UC Graduate Student Fellowships to CD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA

    Cristine Donham & Jennifer O. Manilay

  2. Dept. of Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, 5200, Lake Road Merced, North, CA, 95343, USA

    Jennifer O. Manilay

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  1. Cristine Donham
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Correspondence to Jennifer O. Manilay.

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Donham, C., Manilay, J.O. The Effects of Sclerostin on the Immune System. Curr Osteoporos Rep 18, 32–37 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-020-00563-w

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