-1227C>T polymorphism in the pleiotrophin gene promoter influences bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

Our gene expression microarray data of primary cultures of osteoblasts revealed that the expression of the pleiotrophin (PTN) gene is decreased in osteoporosis. PTN is involved in osteoblasts' proliferation and differentiation, response to mechanical stimuli and cross-talk with Wnt signaling. On the basis of these findings, we studied the PTN gene as a candidate gene for genetic susceptibility to osteoporosis.