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Overview of Possible Roles of OPLL-Associated Genes in OPLL Development

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OPLL

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Abstract

In addition to classical genomic studies, a genome-wide association study for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) was performed and susceptibility loci and candidate genes were identified. Among them, R-spondin 2 (RSPO2) has been focused on as a potent candidate. RSPO2 is a member of the R-spondin secreted protein family and enhances canonical Wnt signaling activity. A recent study showed that RSPO2 suppresses the early-stage differentiation of chondrocytes and that its expression is significantly lower in fibroblasts carrying the risk allele. These findings suggest that RSPO2 may suppress the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells toward chondrocytes via the inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling. To obtain a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of OPLL, appropriate experimental animal models and expression analyses of candidate genes in surgical specimens from OPLL patients are necessary.

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Acknowledgments

I thank Edanz (www.edanzediting.co.jp) for editing the English text of the draft of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sensory and Motor System Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

    Taku Saito

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  1. Taku Saito
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Correspondence to Taku Saito .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan

    Atsushi Okawa

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan

    Morio Matsumoto

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka Rosai Hospital, Sakai, Osaka, Japan

    Motoki Iwasaki

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Toyama University Hospital, Sugitani, Toyama, Japan

    Yoshiharu Kawaguchi

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Saito, T. (2020). Overview of Possible Roles of OPLL-Associated Genes in OPLL Development. In: Okawa, A., Matsumoto, M., Iwasaki, M., Kawaguchi, Y. (eds) OPLL. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3855-1_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3855-1_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-15-3854-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-15-3855-1

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