Transcriptomics and proteomics: Advancing the understanding of genetic basis of fracture healing

Fracture healing is a complex physiological post-natat process, which involves the coordination of several different cell types. Exploring the orchestration of events and the simultaneous activation of osteogenesis and chondrogenesis that recapitulates mammalian embryological skeletal development seems to be not only sophisticated but also challenging. A large number of genes involved in the above process are known, but many more remain to be discovered. The functional characterisation of these genes promises to elucidate the repair process as welt as skeletal abnormalities and aging. We here review the current knowledge on early and Late gene expression during fracture healing, the genes so far associated with osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation, the BMP antagonists, and the Wnts signalling pathway. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.