Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-5 binds to Axin and regulates the canonical Wnt signaling pathway

SerpinB3: A Multifaceted Player in Health and Disease-Review and Future Perspectives

SerpinB3, a member of the serine-protease inhibitor family, has emerged as a crucial player in various physiological and pathological processes. Initially identified as an oncogenic factor in squamous cell carcinomas, SerpinB3's intricate involvement extends from fibrosis progression and cancer to cell protection in acute oxidative stress conditions. This review explores the multifaceted roles of SerpinB3, focusing on its implications in fibrosis, metabolic syndrome, carcinogenesis and immune system impairment. Furthermore, its involvement in tissue protection from oxidative stress and wound healing underscores its potential as diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Recent studies have described the therapeutic potential of targeting SerpinB3 through its upstream regulators, offering novel strategies for cancer treatment development. Overall, this review underscores the importance of further research to fully elucidate the mechanisms of action of SerpinB3 and to exploit its therapeutic potential across various medical conditions.

Why Is Wnt/β-Catenin Not Yet Targeted in Routine Cancer Care?

Despite significant progress in cancer prevention, screening, and treatment, the still limited number of therapeutic options is an obstacle towards increasing the cancer cure rate. In recent years, many efforts were put forth to develop therapeutics that selectively target different components of the oncogenic Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These include small molecule inhibitors, antibodies, and more recently, gene-based approaches. Although some of them showed promising outcomes in clinical trials, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is still not targeted in routine clinical practice for cancer management. As for most anticancer treatments, a critical limitation to the use of Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors is their therapeutic index, i.e., the difficulty of combining effective anticancer activity with acceptable toxicity. Protecting healthy tissues from the effects of Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors is a major issue due to the vital role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in adult tissue homeostasis and regeneration. In this review, we provide an up-to-date summary of clinical trials on Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitors, examine their anti-tumor activity and associated adverse events, and explore strategies under development to improve the benefit/risk profile of this therapeutic approach.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling components and mechanisms in bone formation, homeostasis, and disease

Wnts are secreted, lipid-modified proteins that bind to different receptors on the cell surface to activate canonical or non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways, which control various biological processes throughout embryonic development and adult life. Aberrant Wnt signaling pathway underlies a wide range of human disease pathogeneses. In this review, we provide an update of Wnt/β-catenin signaling components and mechanisms in bone formation, homeostasis, and diseases. The Wnt proteins, receptors, activators, inhibitors, and the crosstalk of Wnt signaling pathways with other signaling pathways are summarized and discussed. We mainly review Wnt signaling functions in bone formation, homeostasis, and related diseases, and summarize mouse models carrying genetic modifications of Wnt signaling components. Moreover, the therapeutic strategies for treating bone diseases by targeting Wnt signaling, including the extracellular molecules, cytosol components, and nuclear components of Wnt signaling are reviewed. In summary, this paper reviews our current understanding of the mechanisms by which Wnt signaling regulates bone formation, homeostasis, and the efforts targeting Wnt signaling for treating bone diseases. Finally, the paper evaluates the important questions in Wnt signaling to be further explored based on the progress of new biological analytical technologies.

Design principles and therapeutic applications of novel synthetic WNT signaling agonists

Wingless-related integration site or Wingless and Int-1 or Wingless-Int (WNT) signaling is crucial for embryonic development, and adult tissue homeostasis and regeneration, through its essential roles in cell fate, patterning, and stem cell regulation. The biophysical characteristics of WNT ligands have hindered efforts to interrogate ligand activity in vivo and prevented their development as therapeutics. Recent breakthroughs have enabled the generation of synthetic WNT signaling molecules that possess characteristics of natural ligands and potently activate the pathway, while also providing distinct advantages for therapeutic development and manufacturing. This review provides a detailed discussion of the protein engineering of these molecular platforms for WNT signaling agonism. We discuss the importance of WNT signaling in several organs and share insights from the initial application of these new classes of molecules in vitro and in vivo. These molecules offer a unique opportunity to enhance our understanding of how WNT signaling agonism promotes tissue repair, enabling targeted development of tailored therapeutics.

Regulation of YAP and Wnt signaling by the endosomal protein MAMDC4

Maintenance of the intestinal epithelium requires constant self-renewal and regeneration. Tight regulation of proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem cells within the crypt region is critical to maintaining homeostasis. The transcriptional co-factors β-catenin and YAP are required for proliferation during normal homeostasis as well as intestinal regeneration after injury: aberrant signaling activity results in over proliferation and tumorigenesis. Although both YAP and β-catenin activity are controlled along canonical pathways, it is becoming increasingly clear that non-canonical regulation of these transcriptional regulators plays a role in fine tuning their activity. We have shown previously that MAMDC4 (Endotubin, AEGP), an integral membrane protein present in endosomes, regulates both YAP and β-catenin activity in kidney epithelial cells and in the developing intestinal epithelium. Here we show that MAMDC4 interacts with members of the signalosome and mediates cross-talk between YAP and β-catenin. Interestingly, this cross-talk occurs through a non-canonical pathway involving interactions between AMOT:YAP and AMOT:β-catenin.

LDL receptor-related protein 5 selectively transports unesterified polyunsaturated fatty acids to intracellular compartments

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which cannot be synthesized by animals and must be supplied from the diet, have been strongly associated with human health. However, the mechanisms for their accretion remain poorly understood. Here, we show that LDL receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5), but not its homolog LRP6, selectively transports unesterified PUFAs into a number of cell types. The LDLa ligand-binding repeats of LRP5 directly bind to PUFAs and are required and sufficient for PUFA transport. In contrast to the known PUFA transporters Mfsd2a, CD36 and FATP2, LRP5 transports unesterified PUFAs via internalization to intracellular compartments including lysosomes, and n-3 PUFAs depend on this transport mechanism to inhibit mTORC1. This LRP5-mediated PUFA transport mechanism suppresses extracellular trap formation in neutrophils and protects mice from myocardial injury during ischemia-reperfusion. Thus, this study reveals a biologically important mechanism for unesterified PUFA transport to intracellular compartments.

Canonical Wnt pathway and the LDL receptor superfamily in neuronal cholesterol homeostasis and function

AIMS

There is little information on the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis in the brain. Whether cholesterol crosses the blood-brain barrier is under investigation, but the present understanding is that cholesterol metabolism in the brain is independent from that in peripheral tissues. Lipoprotein receptors from the LDL receptor family (LRPs) have key roles in lipid particle accumulation in cells involved in vascular and cardiac pathophysiology; however, their function on neural cells is unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The expression of LRP5 and the components and targets of its downstream signalling pathway, the canonical Wnt pathway, including β-catenin, LEF1, VEGF, OPN, MMP7, and ADAM10, is analysed in the brains of Wt and Lrp5-/- mice and in a neuroblastoma cell line. LRP5 expression is increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner after lipid loading in neuronal cells; however, it does not participate in cholesterol homeostasis as shown by intracellular lipid accumulation analyses. Neurons challenged with staurosporin and H2O2 display an anti-apoptotic protective role for LRP5.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time, it has been shown that neurons can accumulate intracellular lipids and lipid uptake is performed mainly by the LDLR, while CD36, LRP1, and LRP5 do not play a major role. In addition, it has been shown that LRP5 triggers the canonical Wnt pathway in neuronal cells to generate pro-survival signals. Finally, Lrp5-/- mice have maintained expression of LRP5 only in the brain supporting the biological plausible concept of the need of brain LRP5 to elicit pro-survival processes and embryonic viability.

Recurrent UBE3C-LRP5 translocations in head and neck cancer with therapeutic implications

Head and neck cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The identification of genetic alterations in head and neck cancer may improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes. In this study, we report the identification and functional characterization of UBE3C-LRP5 translocation in head and neck cancer. Our whole transcriptome sequencing and RT-PCR analysis of 151 head and neck cancer tumor samples identified the LRP5-UBE3C and UBE3C-LRP5 fusion transcripts in 5.3% of patients of Indian origin (n = 151), and UBE3C-LRP5 fusion transcripts in 1.2% of TCGA-HNSC patients (n = 502). Further, whole genome sequencing identified the breakpoint of UBE3C-LRP5 translocation. We demonstrate that UBE3C-LRP5 fusion is activating in vitro and in vivo, and promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of head and neck cancer cells. In contrast, depletion of UBE3C-LRP5 fusion suppresses the clonogenic, migratory, and invasive potential of the cells. The UBE3C-LRP5 fusion activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling by promoting nuclear accumulation of β-catenin, leading to upregulation of Wnt/β-catenin target genes, MYC, CCND1, TCF4, and LEF1. Consistently, treatment with the FDA-approved drug, pyrvinium pamoate, significantly reduced the transforming ability of cells expressing the fusion protein and improved survival in mice bearing tumors of fusion-overexpressing cells. Interestingly, fusion-expressing cells upon knockdown of CTNNB1, or LEF1 show reduced proliferation, clonogenic abilities, and reduced sensitivity to pyrvinium pamoate. Overall, our study suggests that the UBE3C-LRP5 fusion is a promising therapeutic target for head and neck cancer and that pyrvinium pamoate may be a potential drug candidate for treating head and neck cancer harboring this translocation.

The polymorphic variant of SerpinB3 (SerpinB3-PD) is associated with faster cirrhosis decompensation

BACKGROUND

SerpinB3 is a cysteine protease inhibitor involved in liver disease progression due to its proinflammatory and profibrogenic properties. The polymorphic variant SerpinB3-PD (SB3-PD), presents a substitution in its reactive centre loop, determining the gain of function.

AIMS

To disclose the clinical characteristics of a cohort of patients with cirrhosis in relation to the presence of SB3-PD and to assess the effect of this genetic variant on fibrogenic and inflammatory cytokines in vitro.

METHODS

We assessed SB3 polymorphism in 90 patients with cirrhosis, prospectively followed up in our referral centre. We used HepG2 and HuH-7 cells transfected to overexpress either wild-type SB3 (SB3-WT) or SB3-PD to assess their endogenous effect, while LX2 and THP-1 cells were treated with exogenous SB3-WT or SB3-PD proteins.

RESULTS

Patients carrying SB3-PD had more severe portal hypertension and higher MELD scores, than patients carrying SB3-WT. In multivariate analysis, SB3-PD was an independent predictor of cirrhosis complications. Patients with SB3-PD polymorphism presented with more severe liver fibrosis and inflammatory features. Hepatoma cells overexpressing SB3-PD showed higher TGF-β1 expression than controls. The addition of recombinant SB3-PD induced an up-regulation of TGF-β1 in LX2 cells and a more prominent inflammatory profile in THP-1 cells, compared to the effect of SB3-WT protein.

CONCLUSIONS

The polymorphic variant SB3-PD is highly effective in determining activation of TGF-β1 and inflammation in vitro. Patients with cirrhosis who carry SB3-PD polymorphism may be more prone to develop severe liver disease progression. However, further validation studies are warranted to support the in vivo relevance of this polymorphism.

The scaffold protein AXIN1: gene ontology, signal network, and physiological function

AXIN1, has been initially identified as a prominent antagonist within the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway, and subsequently unveiled its integral involvement across a diverse spectrum of signaling cascades. These encompass the WNT/β-catenin, Hippo, TGFβ, AMPK, mTOR, MAPK, and antioxidant signaling pathways. The versatile engagement of AXIN1 underscores its pivotal role in the modulation of developmental biological signaling, maintenance of metabolic homeostasis, and coordination of cellular stress responses. The multifaceted functionalities of AXIN1 render it as a compelling candidate for targeted intervention in the realms of degenerative pathologies, systemic metabolic disorders, cancer therapeutics, and anti-aging strategies. This review provides an intricate exploration of the mechanisms governing mammalian AXIN1 gene expression and protein turnover since its initial discovery, while also elucidating its significance in the regulation of signaling pathways, tissue development, and carcinogenesis. Furthermore, we have introduced the innovative concept of the AXIN1-Associated Phosphokinase Complex (AAPC), where the scaffold protein AXIN1 assumes a pivotal role in orchestrating site-specific phosphorylation modifications through interactions with various phosphokinases and their respective substrates.

R-spondin-1 induces Axin degradation via the LRP6-CK1ε axis

R-spondins (RSPOs) are secreted signaling molecules that potentiate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by cooperating with Wnt ligands. RSPO1 is crucial in tissue development and tissue homeostasis. However, the molecular mechanism by which RSPOs activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling remains elusive. In this study, we found that RSPOs could mediate the degradation of Axin through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The results of Co-IP showed that the recombinant RSPO1 protein promoted the interaction between Axin1 and CK1ε. Either knockout of the CK1ε gene or treatment with the CK1δ/CK1ε inhibitor SR3029 caused an increase in Axin1 protein levels and attenuated RSPO1-induced degradation of the Axin1 protein. Moreover, we observed an increase in the number of associations of LRP6 with CK1ε and Axin1 following RSPO1 stimulation. Overexpression of LRP6 further potentiated Axin1 degradation mediated by RSPO1 or CK1ε. In addition, recombinant RSPO1 and Wnt3A proteins synergistically downregulated the protein expression of Axin1 and enhanced the transcriptional activity of the SuperTOPFlash reporter. Taken together, these results uncover the novel mechanism by which RSPOs activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling through LRP6/CK1ε-mediated degradation of Axin.

A computational analysis to evaluate deleterious SNPs of GSK3β, a multifunctional and regulatory protein, for metabolism, wound healing, and migratory processes

This study focused on GSK-3β, a critical serine/threonine kinase with diverse cellular functions. However, there is limited understanding of the impact of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) on its structure and function. Through an exhaustive in-silico investigation 12 harmful nsSNPs were predicted from a pool of 172 acquired from the NCBI dbSNP database using 12 established tools that detects deleterious SNPs. Consistently, these nsSNPs were discovered in locations with high levels of conservation. Notably, the three harmful nsSNPs F67C, A83T, and T138I were situated in the active/binding site of GSK-3β, which may affect the protein's capacity to bind to substrates and other proteins. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the F67C and T138I mutants had stable structures, indicating rigidness, whereas the A83T mutant was unstable. Analysis of secondary structures revealed different modifications in all mutant forms, which may affect the stability, functioning, and interactions of the protein. These mutations appear to alter the structural dynamics of GSK-3β, which may have functional ramifications, such as the formation of novel secondary structures and variations in coil-to-helix transitions. In conclusion, this study illuminates the possible structural and functional ramifications of these GSK-3 nsSNPs, revealing how protein compactness, stiffness, and interactions may affect biological activities.

Canonical and noncanonical Wnt signaling: Multilayered mediators, signaling mechanisms and major signaling crosstalk

Wnt signaling plays a major role in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. The Wnt ligands are a family of 19 secreted glycoproteins that mediate their signaling effects via binding to Frizzled receptors and LRP5/6 coreceptors and transducing the signal either through β-catenin in the canonical pathway or through a series of other proteins in the noncanonical pathway. Many of the individual components of both canonical and noncanonical Wnt signaling have additional functions throughout the body, establishing the complex interplay between Wnt signaling and other signaling pathways. This crosstalk between Wnt signaling and other pathways gives Wnt signaling a vital role in many cellular and organ processes. Dysregulation of this system has been implicated in many diseases affecting a wide array of organ systems, including cancer and embryological defects, and can even cause embryonic lethality. The complexity of this system and its interacting proteins have made Wnt signaling a target for many therapeutic treatments. However, both stimulatory and inhibitory treatments come with potential risks that need to be addressed. This review synthesized much of the current knowledge on the Wnt signaling pathway, beginning with the history of Wnt signaling. It thoroughly described the different variants of Wnt signaling, including canonical, noncanonical Wnt/PCP, and the noncanonical Wnt/Ca2+ pathway. Further description involved each of its components and their involvement in other cellular processes. Finally, this review explained the various other pathways and processes that crosstalk with Wnt signaling.

Antiadipogenic Effect of Citrus Flavonoids: Evidence from RNA Sequencing Analysis and Activation of AMPK in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Citrus fruits are rich in dietary flavonoids and have many health benefits, but their antiadipogenic mechanism of action and their impact on lipid metabolism remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of citrus flavonoids, namely, hesperidin (HES), narirutin (NAR), nobiletin (NOB), sinensetin (SIN), and tangeretin (TAN), on preventing fat cell development by gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Among the citrus flavonoids tested, HES and NAR significantly reduced fat storage and triglyceride levels and increased glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Additionally, HES and NAR treatment increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) while reducing the protein expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCR). Furthermore, in silico docking revealed that flavonoids activate AMPK. RNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that citrus flavonoids normalized the expression of 40 genes, which were either upregulated by more than 2-fold or downregulated by less than 0.6-fold including Acadv1, Acly, Akr1d1, Awat1, Cyp27a1, Decr1, Dhrs4, Elovl3, Fasn, G6pc, Gba, Hmgcs1, Mogat2, Lrp5, Sptlc3, and Snca to levels comparable to the control group. Altogether, HES and NAR among five citrus flavonoids showed antiadipogenic effects by regulating the expression of specific lipid metabolism genes partially restored to control levels in 3T3-L1 cells.

The Role of Sclerostin in Rheumatic Diseases: A Review

Systemic connective tissue disorders constitute a heterogenous group of autoimmune diseases with the potential to affect a range of organs. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive, autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting the joints. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may manifest with multiple system involvement as a result of inflammatory response to autoantibodies. Spondyloarthropathies (SpAs) such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are diseases characterised by the inflammation of spinal joints, paraspinal tissues, peripheral joints and enthesitis as well as inflammatory changes in many other systems and organs. Physiologically, sclerostin helps to maintain balance in bone tissue metabolism through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which represents a major intracellular signalling pathway. This review article aims to present the current knowledge on the role of sclerostin in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and its correlation with clinical data from RA, SLE, AS and PsA patients.

Genetic Factors of Teeth Impaction: Polymorphic and Haplotype Variants of PAX9, MSX1, AXIN2, and IRF6 Genes

In recent research, there has been a growing awareness of the role of genetic factors in the positioning and eruption of teeth in the maxilla and mandible. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of specific polymorphic markers of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located within the PAX9, MSX1, AXIN2, and IRF6 genes to determine the predisposition to tooth impaction. The study participants were divided into two groups: the first group consisted of individuals with at least one impacted secondary tooth. In contrast, the second group (control group) had no impacted teeth in their jaws. To analyze the genes, real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and TaqMan probes were utilized to detect the selected polymorphisms. The findings suggest that disruptions in the structure and function of the mentioned genetic factors such as polymorphic and haplotype variants of PAX9, MSX1, AXIN2, and IRF6 genes, which play a direct role in tooth and periodontal tissue development, might be significant factors in tooth impaction in individuals with genetic variations. Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that tooth impaction may be influenced, at least in part, by the presence of specific genetic markers, including different allelic variants of the PAX9, AXIN2, and IRF6 genes, and especially MSX1.

Expression of DKK1 in Endometrial Endometrioid Carcinoma and Its Correlation with Wnt/β-catenin Signalling Pathway

Objectives

Endometrial cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer affecting female reproductive organs. The most common histologic type, endometrioid carcinoma, accounts for 75-80% of all endometrial cancer cases. Studies on DKK1 expression profiles and their inhibitory role in the Wnt signalling pathway in the genesis and development of endometrial carcinoma are scarce. This study aimed to investigate DKK1 expression in endometrial carcinoma and its correlation with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Methods

A total of 160 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples were included in this study (50 cases of endometrial atypical hyperplasia, 50 cases of endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, 30 cases of proliferative endometrium and 30 cases of secretory endometrium). The expression patterns of DKK1, E-cadherin, β-catenin and c-Myc in endometrial atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma were investigated and compared with that of proliferative and secretory endometrium. Immunohistochemistry and analysis were performed from July 2018 to June 2020.

Results

A decreasing pattern of immunopositivity for DKK1, E-cadherin and β-catenin from proliferative/secretory endometrium to endometrial atypical hyperplasia and endometrioid carcinoma was found. Increasing c-Myc immunopositivity was noted from proliferative/secretory endometrium to endometrial atypical hyperplasia and endometrioid carcinoma. Moreover, decreasing DKK1 immunopositivity was well correlated with E-cadherin, β-catenin and c-Myc immunopositivity.

Conclusion

Decreasing DKK1 positivity from benign endometrium to endometrioid carcinoma suggests a negative regulatory function of DKK1 in endometrioid carcinoma. DKK1 is downregulated in the Wnt signalling pathway in endometrioid endometrial carcinoma. Therefore, DKK1 is promising as a biomarker for screening endometrioid carcinoma. Future studies should examine the reactivation of the DKK1 gene, which may be a valuable strategy for antagonising the Wnt signalling pathway.

Escin Activates Canonical Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway by Facilitating the Proteasomal Degradation of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β in Cultured Human Dermal Papilla Cells

Abnormal inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in skin diseases like androgenetic alopecia, vitiligo and canities, but small-molecule activators are rarely described. In this study, we investigated the stimulatory effects of escin on the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in cultured human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). Escin stimulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling, resulting in increased β-catenin and lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1), the accumulation of nuclear β-catenin and the enhanced expression of Wnt target genes in cultured hDPCs. Escin drastically reduced the protein level of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β, a key regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, while the presence of the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 fully restored the GSK-3β protein level. The treatment of secreted frizzled-related proteins (sFRPs) 1 and 2 attenuated the activity of escin in Wnt reporter assays. Our data demonstrate that escin is a natural agonist of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and downregulates GSK-3β protein expression by facilitating the proteasomal degradation of GSK-3β in cultured hDPCs. Our data suggest that escin likely stimulates Wnt signaling through direct interactions with frizzled receptors. This study underscores the therapeutic potential of escin for Wnt-related diseases such as androgenetic alopecia, vitiligo and canities.

Absence of E-Cadherin and β-Catenin in the Basal Plasma Membrane of Collecting Duct Cells During NDI Development and Recovery

Lithium (Li) induces severe polyuria and polydipsia in up to 40% of patients undergoing Li treatment. In rats, Li treatment induces a reversible cellular remodeling of the collecting duct (CD), decreasing the fraction of principal-to-intercalated cells. To investigate the potential role of adherens junction proteins, we performed immunohistochemistry on kidney cross-sections from rats treated with Li as well as rats undergoing recovery on a normal diet following 4 weeks of Li-treatment. We performed immunoelectron microscopy on cryosections to determine the ultrastructural localizations. Immunohistochemistry showed that E-cadherin and β-catenin were present in both the lateral and basal plasma membrane domains of CD cells. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed that β-catenin was localized both to the lateral and the basal plasma membrane. The basal localization of both proteins was absent from a fraction of mainly principal cells after 10 and 15 days of Li-treatment. After 4 weeks of Li-treatment few to no cells were absent of E-cadherin and β-catenin at the basal plasma membrane. After 12 and 19 days of recovery some cells exhibited an absence of basal localization of both proteins. Thus, the observed localizational changes of E-cadherin and β-catenin appear before the cellular remodeling during both development and recovery from Li-NDI.

Non-canonical Wnt signaling in the eye

Wnt signaling comprises a group of complex signal transduction pathways that play critical roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis during development, as well as in stem cell maintenance and adult tissue homeostasis. Wnt pathways are classified into two major groups, canonical (β-catenin-dependent) or non-canonical (β-catenin-independent). Most previous studies in the eye have focused on canonical Wnt signaling, and the role of non-canonical signaling remains poorly understood. Additionally, the crosstalk between canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling in the eye has hardly been explored. In this review, we present an overview of available data on ocular non-canonical Wnt signaling, including developmental and functional aspects in different eye compartments. We also discuss important changes of this signaling in various ocular conditions, such as keratoconus, aniridia-related keratopathy, diabetes, age-related macular degeneration, optic nerve damage, pathological angiogenesis, and abnormalities in the trabecular meshwork and conjunctival cells, and limbal stem cell deficiency.

Optimization of peptide amphiphile-lipid raft interaction by changing peptide amphiphile lipophilicity

Various peptide amphiphile (PA) molecules have been developed to promote bone regeneration. Previously we discovered that a peptide amphiphile with a palmitic acid tail (C16) attenuates the signaling threshold of leucine-rich amelogenin peptide (LRAP)-mediated Wnt activation by increasing membrane lipid raft mobility. In the current study, we found that treatment of murine ST2 cells with an inhibitor (Nystatin) or Caveolin-1-specific siRNA abolishes the effect of C16 PA, indicating that Caveolin-mediated endocytosis is required. To determine whether hydrophobicity of the PA tail plays a role in its signaling effect, we modified the length of the tail (C12, C16 and C22) or composition (cholesterol). While shortening the tail (C12) decreased the signaling effect, lengthening the tail (C22) had no prominent effect. On the other hand, the cholesterol PA displayed a similar function as the C16 PA at the same concentration of 0.001% w/v. Interestingly, a higher concentration of C16 PA (0.005%) is cytotoxic while cholesterol PA at the higher concentration (0.005%) is well-tolerated by cells. Use of the cholesterol PA at 0.005% enabled a further reduction of the signaling threshold of LRAP to 0.20 nM, compared to 0.25 nM at 0.001%. Caveolin-mediated endocytosis is also required for cholesterol PA, as evidenced by Caveolin-1 siRNA knockdown experiments. We further demonstrated that the noted effects of cholesterol PA are also observed in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs). Taken together, these results indicate that the cholesterol PA modulates lipid raft/caveolar dynamics, thereby increasing receptor sensitivity for activation of canonical Wnt signaling. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cell signaling involves not only the binding of growth factors (or other cytokines) and cognate receptors, but also their clustering on the cell membrane. However, little or no work has been directed thus far toward investigating how biomaterials can serve to enhance growth factor or peptide signaling by increasing diffusion of cell surface receptors within membrane lipid rafts. Therefore, a better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanism(s) operating at the material-cell membrane interface during cell signaling has the potential to change the paradigm in designing future biomaterials and regenerative medicine therapeutics. In this study, we designed a peptide amphiphile (PA) with a cholesterol tail to enhance canonical Wnt signaling by modulating lipid raft/caveolar dynamics.

SerpinB3 Upregulates Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein (LRP) Family Members, Leading to Wnt Signaling Activation and Increased Cell Survival and Invasiveness

Abnormal activation of the Wnt-β-catenin signaling cascade is involved in tumor growth and dissemination. SerpinB3 has been shown to induce β-catenin, and both molecules are overexpressed in tumors, particularly in those with poor prognoses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of SerpinB3 to modulate the Wnt pathway in liver cancer and in monocytic cells, the main type of inflammatory cells in the tumor microenvironment. The Wnt cascade, Wnt co-receptors, and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) members were analyzed in different cell lines and human monocytes in the presence or absence of SerpinB3. The Wnt-β-catenin axis was also evaluated in liver tumors induced in mice with different extents of SeprinB3 expression. In monocytic cells, SerpinB3 induced a significant upregulation of Wnt-1/7, nuclear β-catenin, and c-Myc, which are associated with increased cell lifespan and proliferation. In liver tumors in mice, the expression of β-catenin was significantly correlated with the presence of SerpinB3. In hepatoma cells, Wnt co-receptors LRP-5/6 and LRP-1, implicated in cell survival and invasiveness, were upregulated by SerpinB3. The LRP pan-inhibitor RAP not only induced a decrease in LRP expression, but also a dose-dependent reduction in SerpinB3-induced invasiveness. In conclusion, SerpinB3 determines the activation of the Wnt canonical pathway and cell invasiveness through the upregulation of LRP family members.

Multiomics of Bohring-Opitz syndrome truncating ASXL1 mutations identify canonical and noncanonical Wnt signaling dysregulation

ASXL1 (additional sex combs-like 1) plays key roles in epigenetic regulation of early developmental gene expression. De novo protein-truncating mutations in ASXL1 cause Bohring-Opitz syndrome (BOS; OMIM #605039), a rare neurodevelopmental condition characterized by severe intellectual disabilities, distinctive facial features, hypertrichosis, increased risk of Wilms tumor, and variable congenital anomalies, including heart defects and severe skeletal defects giving rise to a typical BOS posture. These BOS-causing ASXL1 variants are also high-prevalence somatic driver mutations in acute myeloid leukemia. We used primary cells from individuals with BOS (n = 18) and controls (n = 49) to dissect gene regulatory changes caused by ASXL1 mutations using comprehensive multiomics assays for chromatin accessibility (ATAC-seq), DNA methylation, histone methylation binding, and transcriptome in peripheral blood and skin fibroblasts. Our data show that regardless of cell type, ASXL1 mutations drive strong cross-tissue effects that disrupt multiple layers of the epigenome. The data showed a broad activation of canonical Wnt signaling at the transcriptional and protein levels and upregulation of VANGL2, which encodes a planar cell polarity pathway protein that acts through noncanonical Wnt signaling to direct tissue patterning and cell migration. This multiomics approach identifies the core impact of ASXL1 mutations and therapeutic targets for BOS and myeloid leukemias.

Genetic Disruption of Cilia-Associated Signaling Pathways in Patients with VACTERL Association

VACTERL association is a rare malformation complex consisting of vertebral defects, anorectal malformation, cardiovascular defects, tracheoesophageal fistulae with esophageal atresia, renal malformation, and limb anomalies. According to current knowledge, VACTERL is based on a multifactorial pathogenesis including genomic alterations. This study aimed to improve the understanding of the genetic mechanisms in the development of VACTERL by investigating the genetic background with a focus on signaling pathways and cilia function. The study was designed as genetic association study. For this, whole-exome sequencing with subsequent functional enrichment analyses was performed for 21 patients with VACTERL or a VACTERL-like phenotype. In addition, whole-exome sequencing was performed for three pairs of parents and Sanger-sequencing was performed for ten pairs of parents. Analysis of the WES-data revealed genetic alteration in the Shh- and Wnt-signaling pathways. Additional performed functional enrichment analysis identified an overrepresentation of the cilia, including 47 affected ciliary genes with clustering in the DNAH gene family and the IFT-complex. The examination of the parents showed that most of the genetic changes were inherited. In summary, this study indicates three genetically determined damage mechanisms for VACTERL with the potential to influence each other, namely Shh- and Wnt-signaling pathway disruption, structural cilia defects and disruption of the ciliary signal transduction.

The LRP5 high-bone-mass mutation causes alveolar bone accrual with minor craniofacial alteration

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Mutations in low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) cause various bone diseases. Several mouse models were generated to study the role of LRP5 in bone development. But most of the studies were confined to the appendicular skeleton. The role of LRP5 in the axial skeleton, especially in the craniofacial skeleton, is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the craniofacial phenotype with the LRP5_G171V mutation.

METHODS

To understand how LRP5 affects craniofacial bone properties, we analyzed LRP5 high-bone-mass mutant mice carrying the G171V missense mutation (LRP5^HBM ). Quantitative microcomputed tomographic imaging and histomorphometric analyses were used to study craniofacial phenotypes and bone density. Histology, immunohistochemistry, and in vivo fluorochrome labeling were used to study molecular mechanisms.

RESULTS

LRP5^HBM mice showed overall minor changes in the craniofacial bone development but with increased bone mass in the interradicular alveolar bone, edentulous ridge, palatine bone, and premaxillary suture. Elevated osteocyte density was observed in LRP5^HBM mice, along with increased Runx2 expression and unmineralized bone surrounding osteocytes. Meanwhile, LRP5^HBM mice exhibited increased osteoprogenitors, but no significant changes were observed in osteoclasts. This led to a high-bone-mass phenotype, and an increased osteocyte density in the alveolar bone and edentulous ridge.

CONCLUSION

LRP5^HBM mice display increased bone mass in the alveolar bone with minor changes in the craniofacial morphology. Collectively, these data elucidated the important role of LRP5 in axial bone development and homeostasis and provided clues into the therapeutical potential of LRP5 signaling in treating alveolar bone loss.

Scope of Wnt signaling in the precise diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer

Malignant breast cancers are responsible for a growing number of deaths among women globally. The latest research has demonstrated that Wnt signaling is pivotal in this disease, regulating a safe microenvironment for the growth and proliferation of cancer cells {AuQ: Edit OK?}, sustained stemness, resistance to therapy, and aggregate formation. The three highly conserved {AuQ: Edit OK?} Wnt signaling pathways, Wnt-planar cell polarity (PCP), Wnt/β-catenin signaling and Wnt-Ca²⁺ signaling, assume various roles in the maintenance and amelioration of breast cancer. In this review, we examine ongoing studies on the Wnt signaling pathways and discuss how dysregulation of these pathways promotes breast cancers. We also look at how Wnt dysregulation could be exploited to foster new treatments for malignant breast cancers.

Identification of Selection Signatures and Loci Associated with Important Economic Traits in Yunan Black and Huainan Pigs

Henan Province is located in central China and rich in domestic pig populations; Huainan (HN) pigs are one of three Henan indigenous breeds with great performance, including early maturation, strong disease resistance and high meat quality. Yunan (YN) black pigs are a typical, newly cultivated breed, synthesized between HN pigs and American Duroc, and are subjected to selection for important traits, such as fast growth and excellent meat quality. However, the genomic differences, selection signatures and loci associated with important economic traits in YN black pigs and HN pigs are still not well understood. In this study, based on high-density SNP chip analysis of 159 samples covering commercial DLY (Duroc × Landrace × Large White) pigs, HN pigs and YN black pigs, we performed a comprehensive analysis of phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity among the three breeds. Furthermore, we used composite likelihood ratio tests (CLR) and F-statistics (Fst) to identify specific signatures of selection associated with important economic traits and potential candidate genes. We found 147 selected regions (top 1%) harboring 90 genes based on genetic differentiation (Fst) in the YN-DLY group. In the HN-DLY group, 169 selected regions harbored 58 genes. In the YN-HN group, 179 selected regions harbored 77 genes. In addition, the QTLs database with the most overlapping regions was associated with triglyceride level, number of mummified pigs, hemoglobin and loin muscle depth for YN black pigs, litter size and intramuscular fat content for HN pigs, and humerus length, linolenic acid content and feed conversion ratio mainly in DLY pigs. Of note, overlapping 14 tissue-specific promoters’ annotation with the top Fst 1% selective regions systematically demonstrated the muscle-specific and hypothalamus-specific regulatory elements in YN black pigs. Taken together, these results contribute to an accurate knowledge of crossbreeding, thus benefitting the evaluation of production performance and improving the genome-assisted breeding of other important indigenous pig in the future.

Primary cilia are WNT-transducing organelles whose biogenesis is controlled by a WNT-PP1 axis

WNT signaling is important in development, stem cell maintenance, and disease. WNT ligands typically signal via receptor activation across the plasma membrane to induce β-catenin-dependent gene activation. Here, we show that in mammalian primary cilia, WNT receptors relay a WNT/GSK3 signal that β-catenin-independently promotes ciliogenesis. Characterization of a LRP6 ciliary targeting sequence and monitoring of acute WNT co-receptor activation (phospho-LRP6) support this conclusion. Ciliary WNT signaling inhibits protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) activity, a negative regulator of ciliogenesis, by preventing GSK3-mediated phosphorylation of the PP1 regulatory inhibitor subunit PPP1R2. Concordantly, deficiency of WNT/GSK3 signaling by depletion of cyclin Y and cyclin-Y-like protein 1 induces primary cilia defects in mouse embryonic neuronal precursors, kidney proximal tubules, and adult mice preadipocytes.

Nanomedicines Targeting Glioma Stem Cells

Glioblastoma (GBM), classified as a grade IV glioma, is a rapidly growing, aggressive, and most commonly occurring tumor of the central nervous system. Despite the therapeutic advances, it carries an ominous prognosis, with a median survival of 14.6 months after diagnosis. Accumulating evidence suggests that cancer stem cells in GBM, termed glioma stem cells (GSCs), play a crucial role in tumor propagation, treatment resistance, and tumor recurrence. GSCs, possessing the capacity for self-renewal and multilineage differentiation, are responsible for tumor growth and heterogeneity, leading to primary obstacles to current cancer therapy. In this respect, increasing efforts have been devoted to the development of anti-GSC strategies based on targeting GSC surface markers, blockage of essential signaling pathways of GSCs, and manipulating the tumor microenvironment (GSC niches). In this review, we will discuss the research knowledge regarding GSC-based therapy and the underlying mechanisms for the treatment of GBM. Given the rapid progression in nanotechnology, innovative nanomedicines developed for GSC targeting will also be highlighted from the perspective of rationale, advantages, and limitations. The goal of this review is to provide broader understanding and key considerations toward the future direction of GSC-based nanotheranostics to fight against GBM.

Axin1 participates in blood-brain barrier protection during experimental ischemic stroke via phosphorylation at Thr485 in rats

Axin1 takes an important part in a variety of signaling pathway, such as MEKK1, GSK3β, and β-catenin, and plays a variety of physiological functions; but its effects on the brain-blood barrier (BBB) and stroke remain unclear. To explore the effects and underlying mechanisms of Axin1 on the BBB in ischemic stroke, Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) were subjected to oxygen/glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) to imitate ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. We found that Axin1 was upregulated in HBMEC after OGD without reoxygenation, and downregulated in the injured hemisphere after MCAO without reperfusion. Tight junction (TJ) proteins were upregulated both in HBMEC after OGD without reoxygenation and in ischemic penumbra of the injured hemisphere in rats after MCAO without reperfusion. TJ proteins were downregulated after MCAO/R in rats. Overexpression of Axin1 upregulated the levels of TJ proteins, which alleviated BBB permeability, reduced infarction volume, and ultimately improved neurological behavioral indicators after I/R injury. Furthermore, inhibiting phosphorylation of Axin1 at Thr485 notably increased the expression of Snail and decreased the expression of TJ proteins. Our findings demonstrate that Axin1 participates in BBB protection and improvement of neurological functions during ischemic stroke by regulating TJ proteins. Axin1 may serve as a potential novel candidate to protect BBB and relieve brain injury.

The role of Wnt signaling in the development of the epiblast and axial progenitors

Understanding how the body plan is established during embryogenesis remains a fundamental biological question. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial and highly conserved role in body plan formation, functioning to polarize the primary anterior-posterior (AP) or head-to-tail body axis in most metazoans. In this chapter, we focus on the roles that the mammalian Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays to prepare the pluripotent epiblast for gastrulation, and to elicit the emergence of multipotent axial progenitors from the caudal epiblast. Interactions between Wnt and retinoic acid (RA), another powerful family of developmental signaling molecules, in axial progenitors will also be discussed. Gastrulation movements and somitogenesis result in the anterior displacement of the RA source (the rostral somites and lateral plate mesoderm (LPM)), from the posterior Wnt source (the primitive streak (PS)), leading to the establishment of antiparallel gradients of RA and Wnt that control the self-renewal and successive differentiation of neck, trunk and tail progenitors.

In Adult Skeletal Muscles, the Co-Receptors of Canonical Wnt Signaling, Lrp5 and Lrp6, Determine the Distribution and Size of Fiber Types, and Structure and Function of Neuromuscular Junctions

Canonical Wnt signaling is involved in skeletal muscle cell biology. The exact way in which this pathway exerts its contribution to myogenesis or neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) is a matter of debate. Next to the common co-receptors of canonical Wnt signaling, Lrp5 and Lrp6, the receptor tyrosine kinase MuSK was reported to bind at NMJs WNT glycoproteins by its extracellular cysteine-rich domain. Previously, we reported canonical Wnt signaling being active in fast muscle fiber types. Here, we used conditional Lrp5 or Lrp6 knockout mice to investigate the role of these receptors in muscle cells. Conditional double knockout mice died around E13 likely due to ectopic expression of the Cre recombinase. Phenotypes of single conditional knockout mice point to a very divergent role for the two receptors. First, muscle fiber type distribution and size were changed. Second, canonical Wnt signaling reporter mice suggested less signaling activity in the absence of Lrps. Third, expression of several myogenic marker genes was changed. Fourth, NMJs were of fragmented phenotype. Fifth, recordings revealed impaired neuromuscular transmission. In sum, our data show fundamental differences in absence of each of the Lrp co-receptors and suggest a differentiated view of canonical Wnt signaling pathway involvement in adult skeletal muscle cells.

Identifying novel interactions of the colon-cancer related APC protein with Wnt-pathway nuclear transcription factors

BACKGROUND

Colon cancer is often driven by mutations of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene, an essential tumor suppressor gene of the Wnt β-catenin signaling pathway. APC and its cytoplasmic interactions have been well studied. However, various groups have also observed its presence in the nucleus. Identifying novel interactions of APC in the Wnt pathway will provide an opportunity to understand APC's nuclear role better and ultimately identify potential cancer treatment targets.

METHODS

We used the all-vs-all sequencing (AVA-Seq) method to interrogate the interactome of protein fragments spanning most of the 60 Wnt β-catenin pathway proteins. Using protein fragments identified the interacting regions between the proteins with more resolution than a full-length protein approach. Pull-down assays were used to validate a subset of these interactions.

RESULTS

74 known and 703 novel Wnt β-catenin pathway protein-protein interactions were recovered in this study. There were 8 known and 31 novel APC protein-protein interactions. Novel interactions of APC and nuclear transcription factors TCF7, JUN, FOSL1, and SOX17 were particularly interesting and confirmed in validation assays.

CONCLUSION

Based on our findings of novel interactions between APC and transcription factors and previous evidence of APC localizing to the nucleus, we suggest APC may compete and repress CTNNB1. This would occur through APC binding to the transcription factors (JUN, FOSL1, TCF7) to regulate the Wnt signaling pathway including through enhanced marking of CTNNB1 for degradation in the nucleus by APC binding with SOX17. Additional novel Wnt β-catenin pathway protein-protein interactions from this study could lead researchers to novel drug designs for cancer.

Crosstalk between the Hippo Pathway and the Wnt Pathway in Huntington's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders

The Hippo pathway consists of a cascade of kinases that controls the phosphorylation of the co-activators YAP/TAZ. When unphosphorylated, YAP and TAZ translocate into the nucleus, where they mainly bind to the TEAD transcription factor family and activate genes related to cell proliferation and survival. In this way, the inhibition of the Hippo pathway promotes cell survival, proliferation, and stemness fate. Another pathway can modulate these processes, namely the Wnt/β-catenin pathway that is indeed involved in cellular functions such as proliferation and cell survival, as well as apoptosis, growth, and cell renewal. Wnt signaling can act in a canonical or noncanonical way, depending on whether β-catenin is involved in the process. In this review, we will focus only on the canonical Wnt pathway. It has emerged that YAP/TAZ are components of the β-catenin destruction complex and that there is a close relationship between the Hippo pathway and the canonical Wnt pathway. Furthermore, recent data have shown that both of these pathways may play a role in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Thus, this review analyzes the Hippo pathway and the Wnt pathway, their crosstalk, and their involvement in Huntington's disease, as well as in other neurodegenerative disorders. Altogether, these data suggest possible therapeutic approaches targeting key players of these pathways.

The Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway in Haematological Neoplasms

Leukaemia and lymphoma are common malignancies. The Wnt pathway is a complex network of proteins regulating cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as cancer development, and is divided into the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway (the canonical Wnt signalling pathway) and the noncanonical Wnt signalling pathway. The Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway is highly conserved evolutionarily, and activation or inhibition of either of the pathways may lead to cancer development and progression. The aim of this review is to analyse the mechanisms of action of related molecules in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in haematologic malignancies and their feasibility as therapeutic targets.

The Wnt signaling cascade in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and related promising treatment strategies

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disease, characterized by the degradation of articular cartilage, synovial inflammation, and changes in periarticular and subchondral bone. Recent studies have reported that Wnt signaling cascades play an important role in the development, growth, and homeostasis of joints. The Wnt signaling cascade should be tightly regulated to maintain the homeostasis of cartilage in either the over-activation or the suppression of Wnt/β-catenin, as this could lead to OA. This review summarizes the role and mechanism of canonical Wnt cascade and noncanonical Wnt cascade experiments in vivo and in vitro. The Wnt cascade is controlled by several agonists and antagonists in the extracellular medium and the cytoplasm. These antagonists and agonists serve as key molecules in drug intervention into the Wnt pathway and may provide potential approaches for the treatment of OA. However, the complexity of the Wnt signaling cascade and the pharmaceutical effects on its mechanism are still not fully understood, which forces us to conduct further research and develop efficient therapeutic approaches to treat OA.

The Effects and Mechanisms of Sennoside A on Inducing Cytotoxicity, Apoptosis, and Inhibiting Metastasis in Human Chondrosarcoma Cells

Currently, developing therapeutic strategies for chondrosarcoma (CS) remains important. Sennoside A (SA), a dianthrone glycoside from Senna and Rhubarb, is widely used as an irritant laxative, weight-loss agent, or dietary supplement, which possesses various bioactive properties such as laxative, antiobesity, and hypoglycemic activities. For the first time, our results suggested that cell proliferation and metastasis were inhibited by SA in CS SW1353 cells. SA induced cell growth arrest by inhibiting cell proliferation. The changes of N-cadherin and E-cadherin levels, the markers associated with epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), suggested the EMT-related mechanism of SA in inhibiting cell metastasis. Besides, SA significantly stimulated apoptosis in CS SW1353 cells, leading to cell death. The increase of Bax/Bcl2 ratio confirmed that the internal mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis was regulated by SA. In addition, the prediction of network pharmacology analysis suggested that the possible pathways of SA treatment for CS included the Wnt signaling pathway. Notably, the protein levels of the components in the Wnt pathway, such as Wnt3a, β-catenin, and c-Myc, were downregulated by SA in CS SW1353 cells. To sum up, these results demonstrated that the suppression of the growth, metastasis and the stimulation of cytotoxicity, and apoptosis mediated by SA in CS SW1353 cells were possibly caused by the inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, indicating an underlying therapeutic prospect of SA for chondrosarcoma.

Regulation of SUMOylation Targets Associated With Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway

Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a delicate and complex signal transduction pathway mediated by multiple signaling molecules, which plays a significant role in regulating human physiology and pathology. Abnormally activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial role in promoting malignant tumor occurrence, development, recurrence, and metastasis, particularly in cancer stem cells. Studies have shown that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway controls cell fate and function through the transcriptional and post-translational regulation of omics networks. Therefore, precise regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling as a cancer-targeting strategy may contribute to the treatment of some malignancies. SUMOylation is a post-translational modification of proteins that has been found to play a major role in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Here, we review the complex regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by SUMOylation and discuss the potential targets of SUMOylation therapy.

Ciliary membrane, localised lipid modification and cilia function

Cilium, a tiny microtubule-based cellular appendage critical for cell signalling and physiology, displays a large variety of receptors. The composition and turnover of ciliary lipids and receptors determine cell behaviour. Due to the exclusion of ribosomal machinery and limited membrane area, a cilium needs adaptive logistics to actively reconstitute the lipid and receptor compositions during development and differentiation. How is this dynamicity generated? Here, we examine whether, along with the Intraflagellar-Transport, targeted changes in sector-wise lipid composition could control the receptor localisation and functions in the cilia. We discuss how an interplay between ciliary lipid composition, localised lipid modification, and receptor function could contribute to cilia growth and signalling. We argue that lipid modification at the cell-cilium interface could generate an added thrust for a selective exchange of membrane lipids and the transmembrane and membrane-associated proteins.

Molecular Mechanisms of Isolated Polycystic Liver Diseases

Polycystic liver disease (PLD) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder including two genetically and clinically distinct forms: autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and isolated polycystic liver disease (PCLD). The main manifestation of ADPKD is kidney cysts, while PCLD has predominantly liver presentations with mild or absent kidney cysts. Over the past decade, PRKCSH, SEC63, ALG8, and LRP5 have been candidate genes of PCLD. Recently, more candidate genes such as GANAB, SEC61B, and ALR9 were also reported in PCLD patients. This review focused on all candidate genes of PCLD, including the newly established novel candidate genes. In addition, we also discussed some other genes which might also contribute to the disease.

Heterozygote loss-of-function variants in the LRP5 gene cause familial exudative vitreoretinopathy

BACKGROUND

Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is an inherited ocular disease with clinical manifestations of aberrant retinal vasculature. We aimed to identify novel causative variants responsible for FEVR and provided evidence for the genetic counselling of FEVR.

METHODS

We applied whole-exome sequencing (WES) on the genomic DNA samples from the probands and performed Sanger sequencing for variant validation. Western blot analysis and luciferase assays were performed to test the expression levels and the activity of mutant proteins.

RESULTS

We identified one novel heterozygous nonsense variant, and three novel heterozygous frameshift variants including c.1801G>T (p.G601*), c.1965delC (p.H656Tfs*41), c.4445delC (p.S1482Cfs*17), and c.4482delC (p.P1495Rfs*4), which disabled the function of LRP5 on the Norrin/β-catenin signalling. Overexpression of variant-carrying LRP5 proteins resulted in down regulation of the protein levels of β-catenin and the Norrin/β-catenin signalling target genes c-Myc and Glut1.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that four inherited LRP5 variants can cause autosomal dominant FEVR via down regulation of Norrin/β-catenin signalling and expanded the spectrum of FEVR-associated LRP5 variants.

Canonical Wnt Signaling in the Pathology of Iron Overload-Induced Oxidative Stress and Age-Related Diseases

Iron accumulates in the vital organs with aging. This is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction leading to age-related disorders. Abnormal iron levels are linked to neurodegenerative diseases, liver injury, cancer, and ocular diseases. Canonical Wnt signaling is an evolutionarily conserved signaling pathway that regulates many cellular functions including cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell migration, and stem cell renewal. Recent evidences indicate that iron regulates Wnt signaling, and iron chelators like deferoxamine and deferasirox can inhibit Wnt signaling and cell growth. Canonical Wnt signaling is implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases, and there are significant efforts ongoing to develop innovative therapies targeting the aberrant Wnt signaling. This review examines how intracellular iron accumulation regulates Wnt signaling in various tissues and their potential contribution in the progression of age-related diseases.

LRP5 promotes cancer stem cell traits and chemoresistance in colorectal cancer

The overactivation of canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs) are essential for the onset and malignant progression of most human cancers. However, their regulatory mechanism in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not yet been well demonstrated. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) has been identified as an indispensable co-receptor with frizzled family members for the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction. Herein, we show that activation of LRP5 gene promotes CSCs-like phenotypes, including tumorigenicity and drug resistance in CRC cells, through activating the canonical Wnt/β-catenin and IL-6/STAT3 signalling pathways. Clinically, the expression of LRP5 is upregulated in human CRC tissues and closely associated with clinical stages of patients with CRC. Further analysis showed silencing of endogenous LRP5 gene is sufficient to suppress the CSCs-like phenotypes of CRC through inhibiting these two pathways. In conclusion, our findings not only reveal a regulatory cross-talk between canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, IL-6/STAT3 signalling pathway and CD133-related stemness that promote the malignant behaviour of CRC, but also provide a valuable target for the diagnosis and treatment of CRC.

Transcriptome-wide association study and eQTL colocalization identify potentially causal genes responsible for human bone mineral density GWAS associations

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for bone mineral density (BMD) in humans have identified over 1100 associations to date. However, identifying causal genes implicated by such studies has been challenging. Recent advances in the development of transcriptome reference datasets and computational approaches such as transcriptome-wide association studies (TWASs) and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) colocalization have proven to be informative in identifying putatively causal genes underlying GWAS associations. Here, we used TWAS/eQTL colocalization in conjunction with transcriptomic data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project to identify potentially causal genes for the largest BMD GWAS performed to date. Using this approach, we identified 512 genes as significant using both TWAS and eQTL colocalization. This set of genes was enriched for regulators of BMD and members of bone relevant biological processes. To investigate the significance of our findings, we selected PPP6R3, the gene with the strongest support from our analysis which was not previously implicated in the regulation of BMD, for further investigation. We observed that Ppp6r3 deletion in mice decreased BMD. In this work, we provide an updated resource of putatively causal BMD genes and demonstrate that PPP6R3 is a putatively causal BMD GWAS gene. These data increase our understanding of the genetics of BMD and provide further evidence for the utility of combined TWAS/colocalization approaches in untangling the genetics of complex traits.

Signalling dynamics in embryonic development

In multicellular organisms, cellular behaviour is tightly regulated to allow proper embryonic development and maintenance of adult tissue. A critical component in this control is the communication between cells via signalling pathways, as errors in intercellular communication can induce developmental defects or diseases such as cancer. It has become clear over the last years that signalling is not static but varies in activity over time. Feedback mechanisms present in every signalling pathway lead to diverse dynamic phenotypes, such as transient activation, signal ramping or oscillations, occurring in a cell type- and stage-dependent manner. In cells, such dynamics can exert various functions that allow organisms to develop in a robust and reproducible way. Here, we focus on Erk, Wnt and Notch signalling pathways, which are dynamic in several tissue types and organisms, including the periodic segmentation of vertebrate embryos, and are often dysregulated in cancer. We will discuss how biochemical processes influence their dynamics and how these impact on cellular behaviour within multicellular systems.

The role of Wnt pathway in obesity induced inflammation and diabetes: a review

Diabetes has become a major killer worldwide and at present, millions are affected by it. Being a chronic disease it increases the risk of other diseases ranging from pulmonary disorders to soft tissue infections. The loss of insulin-producing capacity of the pancreatic β-cells is the main reason for the development of the disease. Obesity is a major complication that can give rise to several other diseases such as cancer, diabetes, etc. Visceral adiposity is one of the major factors that play a role in the development of insulin resistance. Obesity causes a chronic low-grade inflammation in the tissues that further increases the chances of developing diabetes. Several pathways have been associated with the development of diabetes due to inflammation caused by obesity. The Wnt pathway is one such candidate pathway that is found to have a controlling effect on the development of insulin resistance. Moreover, the pathway has also been linked to obesity and inflammation. This review aims to find a connection between obesity, inflammation, and diabetes by taking the wnt pathway as the connecting link.

Gentiopicroside promotes the osteogenesis of bone mesenchymal stem cells by modulation of β-catenin-BMP2 signalling pathway

Osteoporosis is characterized by increased bone fragility, and the drugs used at present to treat osteoporosis can cause adverse reactions. Gentiopicroside (GEN), a class of natural compounds with numerous biological activities such as anti‐resorptive properties and protective effects against bone loss. Therefore, the aim of this work was to explore the effect of GEN on bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) osteogenesis for a potential osteoporosis therapy. In vitro, BMSCs were exposed to GEN at different doses for 2 weeks, whereas in vivo, ovariectomized osteoporosis was established in mice and the therapeutic effect of GEN was evaluated for 3 months. Our results in vitro showed that GEN promoted the activity of alkaline phosphatase, increased the calcified nodules in BMSCs and up‐regulated the osteogenic factors (Runx2, OSX, OCN, OPN and BMP2). In vivo, GEN promoted the expression of Runx2, OCN and BMP2, increased the level of osteogenic parameters, and accelerated the osteogenesis of BMSCs by activating the BMP pathway and Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, effect that was inhibited using the BMP inhibitor Noggin and Wnt/β‐catenin inhibitor DKK1. Silencing the β‐catenin gene and BMP2 gene blocked the osteogenic differentiation induced by GEN in BMSCs. This block was also observed when only β‐catenin was silenced, although the knockout of BMP2 did not affect β‐catenin expression induced by GEN. Therefore, GEN promotes BMSC osteogenesis by regulating β‐catenin‐BMP signalling, providing a novel strategy in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Regulation of the Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein LRP6 and Its Association With Disease: Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling and Beyond

Wnt signaling plays crucial roles in development and tissue homeostasis, and its dysregulation leads to various diseases, notably cancer. Wnt/β-catenin signaling is initiated when the glycoprotein Wnt binds to and forms a ternary complex with the Frizzled and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5/6 (LRP5/6). Despite being identified as a Wnt co-receptor over 20 years ago, the molecular mechanisms governing how LRP6 senses Wnt and transduces downstream signaling cascades are still being deciphered. Due to its role as one of the main Wnt signaling components, the dysregulation or mutation of LRP6 is implicated in several diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, metabolic syndrome and skeletal disease. Herein, we will review how LRP6 is activated by Wnt stimulation and explore the various regulatory mechanisms involved. The participation of LRP6 in other signaling pathways will also be discussed. Finally, the relationship between LRP6 dysregulation and disease will be examined in detail.

Integrin αEβ7+ T cells direct intestinal stem cell fate decisions via adhesion signaling

Intestinal stem cell (ISC) differentiation is regulated precisely by a niche in the crypt, where lymphocytes may interact with stem and transient amplifying (TA) cells. However, whether and how lymphocyte-stem/TA cell contact affects ISC differentiation is largely unknown. Here, we uncover a novel role of T cell-stem/TA cell contact in ISC fate decisions. We show that intestinal lymphocyte depletion results in skewed ISC differentiation in mice, which can be rescued by T cell transfer. Mechanistically, integrin αEβ7 expressed on T cells binds to E-cadherin on ISCs and TA cells, triggering E-cadherin endocytosis and the consequent Wnt and Notch signaling alterations. Blocking αEβ7-E-cadherin adhesion suppresses Wnt signaling and promotes Notch signaling in ISCs and TA cells, leading to defective ISC differentiation. Thus, αEβ7⁺ T cells regulate ISC differentiation at single-cell level through cell-cell contact-mediated αEβ7-E-cadherin adhesion signaling, highlighting a critical role of the T cell-stem/TA cell contact in maintaining intestinal homeostasis.