Specific Deletion of β-Catenin in -Expressing Cells Leads to Defects in Epiphyseal Bone.

The role of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling in postnatal bone growth has not been fully defined. In the present studies, we generated conditional knockout (KO) mice and deleted in -expressing chondrocytes and mesenchymal progenitor cells. Findings from analyzing the - KO mice revealed severe bone destruction and bone loss phenotype in epiphyseal bone, probably due to the increase in osteoclast formation and the accumulation of adipocytes in this area. In addition, we also found bone destruction and bone loss phenotype in vertebral bone in - KO mice. These findings indicate that β-catenin signaling plays a critical role in postnatal bone remodeling. Our study provides new insights into the regulation of epiphyseal bone homeostasis at postnatal stage.