Interaction between sclerostin and mast cells in the fibro-osseous lesions of the jaw – A systematic review.

Dr. Karthik  Shunmugavelu; Dr Evangeline Cynthia  Dhinakaran; Dr. Rufus Edwin Ranjitsingh

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i12.2634

Authors

Dr. Karthik Shunmugavelu Assistant Professor, Department of Dentistry PSP Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Tambaram, Kanchipuram main road, Oragadam, Panruti, Kanchipuram district, Tamilnadu 631604 India.
Dr. Evangeline Cynthia Dhinakaran Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chrompet, Chennai-600044 Tamilnadu India.
Dr. Rufus Ranjitsingh Edwin MS General surgery, Assistant professor, Vels Medical College and hospital Tamilnadu India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i12.2634

Keywords:

Fibro-osseous lesions, sclerostin, mast cells, jaw, β-catenin, bone remodeling, immunohistochemistry

Abstract

Background

Fibro-osseous lesions (FOLs) of the jaw, including fibrous dysplasia and ossifying fibromas, are characterized by replacement of normal bone with fibrous tissue and abnormal mineralization. Sclerostin, a negative regulator of bone formation and mast cells involved in fibrosis and inflammation, has recently been implicated in FOL pathogenesis. Understanding their interaction may improve knowledge of lesion biology and identify potential diagnostic or therapeutic targets.

Materials and methods

This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched up to July 2025. Original studies evaluating sclerostin and/or mast cell expression in jaw FOLs were included. Extracted data included study design, lesion subtype, methodology, and findings related to sclerostin–mast cell interactions.

Results

Five studies were included. Evidence consistently demonstrated abundant sclerostin-positive cells within the fibrous stroma of FOLs, and these cells tend to co-express tryptase, a mast cell marker. Surprisingly, dominant sclerostin-positive mast cells were present in fibrous dysplasia and ossifying fibroma tissues. β-catenin expression in fibrous tissue suggested potential interaction between Wnt signaling and mast cell-secreted sclerostin. Control bone tissue revealed sclerostin predominantly in osteocytes with minimal mast cell presence.

Conclusion

Current evidence supports a significant interaction between mast cells and sclerostin in jaw FOLs, potentially contributing to abnormal bone remodeling and fibrogenesis.

Future research

Further multicenter and mechanistic studies are required to clarify the biological role, prognostic value, and therapeutic potential of this interaction.

Author Biographies

Dr. Karthik Shunmugavelu, Assistant Professor, Department of Dentistry PSP Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Tambaram, Kanchipuram main road, Oragadam, Panruti, Kanchipuram district, Tamilnadu 631604 India.

is an Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Dentistry at PSP Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu, India. His academic interests include oral pathology, bone pathology, oral potentially malignant disorders, and translational molecular research.

Dr. Evangeline Cynthia Dhinakaran, Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chrompet, Chennai-600044 Tamilnadu India.

is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, India. Her research interests include diagnostic pathology, immunohistochemistry, and oral-systemic disease correlations.

Dr. Rufus Ranjitsingh Edwin, MS General surgery, Assistant professor, Vels Medical College and hospital Tamilnadu India.

is an Assistant Professor in the Department of General Surgery at Vels Medical College and Hospital, Tamil Nadu, India. His academic interests include head and neck pathology, clinical surgery, and interdisciplinary medical research.

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