The Hippo pathway in bone and cartilage: implications for development and disease.

Abstract

Bone is the main structure of the human body; it mainly plays a supporting role and participates in metabolic processes. The Hippo signaling pathway is composed of a series of protein kinases, including the mammalian STE20-like kinase MST1/2 and the large tumor suppressor LATS1/2, which are widely involved in pathophysiological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and death, especially those related to biomechanical transduction in vivo. However, the role of it in regulating skeletal system development and the evolution of bone-related diseases remains poorly understood. The pathway can intervene in and regulate the physiological activities of bone-related cells such as osteoclasts and chondrocytes through its own or other bone-related signaling pathways, such as the Wnt pathway, the Notch pathway, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), thereby affecting the occurrence and development of bone diseases. This article discusses the role of the Hippo signaling pathway in bone development and disease to provide new insights into the treatment of bone-related diseases by targeting the Hippo signaling pathway.