Fig. 1
From: Sclerostin is a promising therapeutic target for oral inflammation and regenerative dentistry
Role and mechanisms of sclerostin secreted by osteocytes in bone metabolism. Sclerostin inhibits Wnt/β-catenin pathway by competitively binding to LRP5/6, promoting the ubiquitinated degradation of β-catenin and blocking its nuclear import to inhibit the osteogenic function of osteoblasts. Besides, sclerostin increases the production of RANKL while decreases the production of OPG in osteoblasts and pre-osteoblasts to active the osteoclasts. LRP5/6 low-density lipoprotein receptor protein 5/6; RANKL receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand; OPG osteoprotegerin; RANK receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB