Apoptotic gene expression in Paget's disease: a possible role for Bcl-2.

Paget's disease of bone is characterized by an increase in both the size and the number of bone-resorbing osteoclasts. An important regulator of osteoclast activity is the process of apoptosis, and any aberration in this process could lead to increased osteoclasis. Analysis using human apoptosis cDNA expression arrays revealed that the apoptotic suppressor, Bcl-2, showed a marked increase in expression in Pagetic bone.