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Altered skeletal expression of sclerostin and its link to radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis
Arthritis & Rheumatism, 11/06/09

Appel H et al. – Sclerostin expression is impaired in patients with AS, suggesting a specific alteration of osteocyte function in this disease. A low serum level of sclerostin in the setting of AS is linked to increased structural damage, emphasizing the role of sclerostin in the suppression of bone formation.

Methods

Sclerostin expression and osteocyte death assessed by immunohistochemistry in joints derived from patients with AS, patients with RA, and patients with OA, as well as from control subjects
Serum level of sclerostin assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in healthy subjects and patients with AS
Assessment included longitudinal correlation of sclerostin serum levels and radiographic progression in spine of patients with AS

Results

Sclerostin expression confined exclusively to osteocytes
Majority of osteocytes in healthy individuals and patients with RA were sclerostin positive, expression significantly reduced in patients with OA and was virtually absent in patients with AS
Serum levels of sclerostin significantly lower in patients with AS than healthy individuals
Low serum sclerostin levels in patients with AS significantly associated with formation of new syndesmophytes

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