Non-canonical Wnt4 prevents skeletal aging and inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB

Aging-related bone loss and osteoporosis affect millions of patients worldwide. Chronic inflammation associated with aging and arthritis promotes bone resorption and impairs bone formation. Here we show that Wnt4 attenuated bone loss in osteoporosis and skeletal aging by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) via non-canonical Wnt signaling. Transgenic mice expressing Wnt4 from osteoblasts were significantly protected from bone loss and chronic inflammation induced by ovariectomy, tumor necrosis factor or natural aging. In addition to promoting bone formation, Wnt4 could inhibit osteoclast formation and bone resorption. Mechanistically, Wnt4 inhibited transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1-mediated NF-κB activation in macrophages and osteoclast precursors independent of β-catenin. Moreover, recombinant Wnt4 proteins were able to alleviate osteoporotic bone loss and inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB in vivo. Taken together, our results suggest that Wnt4 might be used as a therapeutic agent for treating osteoporosis by attenuating NF-κB.