Impaired WNT signaling and the spine-Heterozygous WNT1 mutation causes severe age-related spinal pathology

Compromised WNT signaling introduces severe and progressive changes to the spinal structures. Schmorl nodes are prevalent even at an early age and increased thoracic kyphosis and compression fractures become evident after the age of 50 years. Therapies targeting the WNT pathway may be an effective way to prevent spinal pathology not only in those harboring a mutation but also in the general population with similar pathology.