Monitoring Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Skin

SFRP2 suppresses trophoblast cell migration by inhibiting the Wnt/β‑catenin pathway

The present study investigates the role of Secreted Frizzled‑Related Protein 2 (SFRP2) in trophoblast cells, a key factor in preeclampsia (PE) progression. Elevated levels of Secreted Frizzled‑Related Protein 1/3/4/5 (SFRP1/3/4/5) are associated with PE, but the role of SFRP2 is unclear. We analyzed SFRP2 expression in PE placental tissue using the GSE10588 dataset and overexpressed SFRP2 in JEG‑3 cells via lentiviral transfection. The viability, migration, apoptosis, and proliferation of SFRP2‑overexpressing JEG‑3 cells were assessed using Cell Counting Kit‑8, Transwell assays, flow cytometry, and EdU staining. Additionally, we evaluated the impact of SFRP2 overexpression on key proteins in the Wnt/β‑catenin pathway and apoptosis markers (Bax, cleaved‑caspase 3, BCL‑2, MMP9, E‑cadherin, Wnt3a, Axin2, CyclinD1, c‑Myc, p‑β‑catenin, β‑catenin, phosphorylated Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta (p‑GSK3β), and GSK3β) through western blotting. Results showed high SFRP2 mRNA and protein expression in PE placenta and JEG‑3 cells post‑transfection. SFRP2 overexpression significantly reduced JEG‑3 cell viability, proliferation, and migration, while increasing apoptosis. It also altered expression levels of Wnt pathway proteins, suggesting SFRP2's potential as a therapeutic target for PE by inhibiting trophoblast cell migration through the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling cascade.

The Roles of WNT Signaling Pathways in Skin Development and Mechanical-Stretch-Induced Skin Regeneration

The WNT signaling pathway plays a critical role in a variety of biological processes, including development, adult tissue homeostasis maintenance, and stem cell regulation. Variations in skin conditions can influence the expression of the WNT signaling pathway. In light of the above, a deeper understanding of the specific mechanisms of the WNT signaling pathway in different physiological and pathological states of the skin holds the potential to significantly advance clinical treatments of skin-related diseases. In this review, we present a comprehensive analysis of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the WNT signaling pathway in skin development, wound healing, and mechanical stretching. Our review sheds new light on the crucial role of the WNT signaling pathway in the regulation of skin physiology and pathology.

Treatment update for vitiligo based on autoimmune inhibition and melanocyte protection

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of vitiligo remains challenging due to the complexity of its pathogenesis, influenced by genetic factors, oxidative stress and abnormal cell adhesion that collectively impact melanocyte survival and trigger immune system attacks, resulting in melanocyte death. Melanocytes in vitiligo are believed to exhibit genetic susceptibility and defects in cellular mechanisms, such as defects in autophagy, that reduce their ability to resist oxidative stress, leading to increased expression of the pro-inflammatory protein HSP70. The low expression of adhesion molecules, such as DDR1 and E-cadherin, accelerates melanocyte damage and antigen exposure. Consequently, autoimmune attacks centered on IFN-γ-CXCR9/10-CXCR3-CD8⁺ T cells are initiated, causing vitiligo.

AREAS COVERED

This review discusses the latest knowledge on the pathogenesis of vitiligo and potential therapeutic targets from the perspective of suppressing autoimmune attacks and activating melanocytes functions.

EXPERT OPINION

Vitiligo is one of the most challenging dermatological diseases due to its complex pathogenesis with diverse therapeutic targets. Immune suppression, such as corticosteroids and emerging JAK inhibitors, has proven effective in disease progression. However, during the early stages of the disease, it is also important to optimize therapeutic strategies to activate melanocytes for alleviating oxidative stress and improving treatment outcomes.

The Identification and Characteristics of miRNAs Related to Cashmere Fiber Traits in Skin Tissue of Cashmere Goats

microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the regulation of biological phenomena by down-regulating the expression of mRNAs. In this study, Liaoning cashmere (LC) goats (n = 6) and Ziwuling black (ZB) goats (n = 6) with different cashmere fiber production performances were selected. We supposed that miRNAs are responsible for the cashmere fiber trait differences. To test the hypothesis, the expression profiles of miRNAs from the skin tissue of the two caprine breeds were compared using small RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). A total of 1293 miRNAs were expressed in the caprine skin samples, including 399 known caprine miRNAs, 691 known species-conserved miRNAs, and 203 novel miRNAs. Compared with ZB goats, 112 up-regulated miRNAs, and 32 down-regulated miRNAs were found in LC goats. The target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs were remarkably concentrated on some terms and pathways associated with cashmere fiber performance, including binding, cell, cellular protein modification process, and Wnt, Notch, and MAPK signaling pathways. The miRNA-mRNA interaction network found that 14 miRNAs selected may contribute to cashmere fiber traits regulation by targeting functional genes associated with hair follicle activities. The results have reinforced others leading to a solid foundation for further investigation of the influences of individual miRNAs on cashmere fiber traits in cashmere goats.

CDC20 contributes to the development of human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma through the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway

Cell division cycle 20 (CDC20) is a regulatory molecule and serves critical roles at multiple points of the cell cycle. Recent evidence indicates that CDC20 may serve an oncogenic role in a number of human cancer types. However, the role of CDC20 in primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) has not been studied, to the best of our knowledge. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether and how CDC20 is involved in the tumorigenesis of cSCC. The results revealed that CDC20 expression was significantly increased in cSCC tissues and cell lines, and its expression was associated with pathological differentiation. Downregulation of CDC20 inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest, promoted apoptosis and reduced migratory ability through inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Furthermore, all-trans-retinoic acid treatment significantly downregulated CDC20 expression in cSCC. The present results revealed that CDC20 may serve a crucial role in human cSCC, and suggested that CDC20 may be a novel biomarker for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cSCC.

Age-Associated Differences in Infection of Human Skin in the SCID Mouse Model of Varicella-Zoster Virus Pathogenesis

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the skin-tropic human alphaherpesvirus responsible for both varicella-zoster and herpes zoster. Varicella-zoster and herpes zoster skin lesions have similar morphologies, but herpes zoster occurs disproportionally in older individuals and is often associated with a more extensive local rash and severe zoster-related neuralgia. We hypothesized that skin aging could also influence the outcome of the anterograde axonal transport of VZV to skin. We utilized human skin xenografts maintained in immunodeficient (SCID) mice to study VZV-induced skin pathology in vivo in fetal and adult skin xenografts. Here we found that VZV replication is enhanced in skin from older compared to younger adults, correlating with clinical observations. In addition to measures of VZV infection, we examined the expression of type I interferon (IFN) pathway components in adult skin and investigated elements of the cutaneous proliferative and inflammatory response to VZV infection in vivo Our results demonstrated that VZV infection of adult skin triggers intrinsic IFN-mediated responses such as we have described in VZV-infected fetal skin xenografts, including MxA as well as promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML), in skin cells surrounding lesions. Further, we observed that VZV elicited altered cell signaling and proliferative and inflammatory responses that are involved in wound healing, driven by follicular stem cells. These cellular changes are consistent with VZV-induced activation of STAT3 and suggest that VZV exploits the wound healing process to ensure efficient delivery of the virus to keratinocytes. Adult skin xenografts offer an approach to further investigate VZV-induced skin pathologies in vivoIMPORTANCE Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the agent responsible for both varicella-zoster and herpes zoster. Herpes zoster occurs disproportionally in older individuals and is often associated with a more extensive local rash and severe zoster-related neuralgia. To examine the effect of skin aging on VZV skin lesions, we utilized fetal and adult human skin xenografts maintained in immunodeficient (SCID) mice. We measured VZV-induced skin pathology, examined the expression of type I interferon (IFN) pathway components in adult skin, and investigated elements of the cutaneous proliferative and inflammatory response to VZV infection in vivo Our results demonstrate that characteristics of aging skin are preserved in xenografts; that VZV replication is enhanced in skin from older compared to younger adults, correlating with clinical observations; and that VZV infection elicits altered cell signaling and inflammatory responses. Adult skin xenografts offer an approach to further investigate VZV-induced skin pathologies in vivo.