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Li K, Chen Z, Chang X, Xue R, Wang H, Guo W. Wnt signaling pathway in spinal cord injury: from mechanisms to potential applications. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1427054. [PMID: 39114641 PMCID: PMC11303303 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1427054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) denotes damage to both the structure and function of the spinal cord, primarily manifesting as sensory and motor deficits caused by disruptions in neural transmission pathways, potentially culminating in irreversible paralysis. Its pathophysiological processes are complex, with numerous molecules and signaling pathways intricately involved. Notably, the pronounced upregulation of the Wnt signaling pathway post-SCI holds promise for neural regeneration and repair. Activation of the Wnt pathway plays a crucial role in neuronal differentiation, axonal regeneration, local neuroinflammatory responses, and cell apoptosis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for treating SCI. However, excessive activation of the Wnt pathway can also lead to negative effects, highlighting the need for further investigation into its applicability and significance in SCI. This paper provides an overview of the latest research advancements in the Wnt signaling pathway in SCI, summarizing the recent progress in treatment strategies associated with the Wnt pathway and analyzing their advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, we offer insights into the clinical application of the Wnt signaling pathway in SCI, along with prospective avenues for future research direction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Huaibo Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Hospital Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
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Ganesan S, Dharmarajan A, Sudhir G, Perumalsamy LR. Unravelling the Road to Recovery: Mechanisms of Wnt Signalling in Spinal Cord Injury. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04055-1. [PMID: 38421469 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04055-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex neurodegenerative pathology that consistently harbours a poor prognostic outcome. At present, there are few therapeutic strategies that can halt neuronal cell death and facilitate functional motor recovery. However, recent studies have highlighted the Wnt pathway as a key promoter of axon regeneration following central nervous system (CNS) injuries. Emerging evidence also suggests that the temporal dysregulation of Wnt may drive cell death post-SCI. A major challenge in SCI treatment resides in developing therapeutics that can effectively target inflammation and facilitate glial scar repair. Before Wnt signalling is exploited for SCI therapy, further research is needed to clarify the implications of Wnt on neuroinflammation during chronic stages of injury. In this review, an attempt is made to dissect the impact of canonical and non-canonical Wnt pathways in relation to individual aspects of glial and fibrotic scar formation. Furthermore, it is also highlighted how modulating Wnt activity at chronic time points may aid in limiting lesion expansion and promoting axonal repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchita Ganesan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Arun Dharmarajan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Clinical Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - G Sudhir
- Department of Orthopedics and Spine Surgery, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India.
| | - Lakshmi R Perumalsamy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India.
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Li L, Wang L, Zhang L. Therapeutic Potential of Natural Compounds from Herbs and Nutraceuticals in Alleviating Neurological Disorders: Targeting the Wnt Signaling Pathway. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:2411-2433. [PMID: 38284360 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c07536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
As an important signaling pathway in multicellular eukaryotes, the Wnt signaling pathway participates in a variety of physiological processes. Recent studies have confirmed that the Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in neurological disorders such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. The regulation of Wnt signaling by natural compounds in herbal medicines and nutraceuticals has emerged as a potential strategy for the development of new drugs for neurological disorders. Purpose: The aim of this review is to evaluate the latest research results on the efficacy of natural compounds derived from herbs and nutraceuticals in the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders by regulating the Wnt pathway in vivo and in vitro. A manual and electronic search was performed for English articles available from PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect from the January 2010 to February 2023. Keywords used for the search engines were "natural products,″ "plant derived products,″ "Wnt+ clinical trials,″ and "Wnt+,″ and/or paired with "natural products″/″plant derived products", and "neurological disorders." A total of 22 articles were enrolled in this review, and a variety of natural compounds from herbal medicine and nutritional foods have been shown to exert therapeutic effects on neurological disorders through the Wnt pathway, including curcumin, resveratrol, and querctrin, etc. These natural products possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and angiogenic properties, confer neurovascular unit and blood-brain barrier integrity protection, and affect neural stem cell differentiation, synaptic formation, and neurogenesis, to play a therapeutic role in neurological disorders. In various in vivo and in vitro studies and clinical trials, these natural compounds have been shown to be safe and tolerable with few adverse effects. Natural compounds may serve a therapeutic role in neurological disorders by regulating the Wnt pathway. This summary of the research progress of natural compounds targeting the Wnt pathway may provide new insights for the treatment of neurological disorders and potential targets for the development of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning PR China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning PR China
| | - Lijuan Zhang
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning PR China
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Cheng P, Liao HY, Zhang HH. The role of Wnt/mTOR signaling in spinal cord injury. J Clin Orthop Trauma 2022; 25:101760. [PMID: 35070684 PMCID: PMC8762069 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcot.2022.101760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is the most common disabling spinal injury, a complex pathologic process that can eventually lead to severe neurological dysfunction. The Wnt/mTOR signaling pathway is a pervasive signaling cascade that regulates a wide range of physiological processes during embryonic development, from stem cell pluripotency to cell fate. Numerous studies have reported that Wnt/mTOR signaling pathway plays an important role in neural development, synaptogenesis, neuron growth, differentiation and survival after the central nervous system (CNS) is damaged. Wnt/mTOR also plays an important role in regulating various pathophysiological processes after spinal cord injury (SCI). After SCI, Wnt/mTOR signal regulates the physiological and pathological processes of neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation, neuronal axon regeneration, neuroinflammation and pain through multiple pathways. Due to the characteristics of the Wnt signal in SCI make it a potential therapeutic target of SCI. In this paper, the characteristics of Wnt/mTOR signal, the role of Wnt/mTOR pathway on SCI and related mechanisms are reviewed, and some unsolved problems are discussed. It is hoped to provide reference value for the research field of the role of Wnt/mTOR pathway in SCI, and provide a theoretical basis for biological therapy of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Cheng
- Department of Spine Surgery, LanZhou University Second Hospital, 82 Cuiying Men, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Hai-Yang Liao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Ganzhou People's Hospital, 16 Meiguan Avenue, Ganzhou, 342800, PR China
| | - Hai-Hong Zhang
- Department of Spine Surgery, LanZhou University Second Hospital, 82 Cuiying Men, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
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Zhang T, Wang F, Li K, Lv C, Gao K, Lv C. Therapeutic effect of metformin on inflammation and apoptosis after spinal cord injury in rats through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Neurosci Lett 2020; 739:135440. [PMID: 33132177 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To verify the effect of metformin on spinal cord injury (SCI) through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. BACKGROUND SCI is a serious traumatic disease of the central nervous system. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays important roles in SCI. Metformin has been reported to exert neuroprotective effects in the central nervous system. Whether metformin could improve SCI through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway remains unclear. METHODS Rats were divided into sham group, SCI group, SCI + metformin group, metformin + XAV939 group (XAV939 is an effective inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway), and methylprednisolone group. BBB scores were used to detect motor function recovery at different time points (0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days) in SCI rats. Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence, TUNEL, HE and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological characteristics of spinal cord tissue and the expression of inflammation and apoptosis in spinal cord neurons. RESULTS Metformin(50 mg/kg) promoted motor functional recovery in rats after SCI, increased the expressions of β-catenin and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), inhibited neuron apoptosis and inflammatory response, and improved the recovery of pathological morphology at the injury site by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. CONCLUSION We found a possible mechanism that metformin could reduce inflammation and apoptosis, and promote functional recovery of SCI rats through activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China; Department of Orthopedics, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Science and Education, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, China
| | - Kang Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, China
| | - Chengwei Lv
- Department of Orthopedics, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, China
| | - Kai Gao
- Department of Orthopedics, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, China.
| | - Chaoliang Lv
- Department of Orthopedics, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, China.
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Canonical WNT pathway is activated in the airway epithelium in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. EBioMedicine 2020; 61:103034. [PMID: 33045470 PMCID: PMC7559244 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.103034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a devastating lung disease, mainly due to cigarette smoking, which represents the third cause of mortality worldwide. The mechanisms driving its epithelial salient features remain largely elusive. We aimed to evaluate the activation and the role of the canonical, β-catenin-dependant WNT pathway in the airway epithelium from COPD patients. METHODS The WNT/β-catenin pathway was first assessed by WNT-targeted RNA sequencing of the air/liquid interface-reconstituted bronchial epithelium from COPD and control patients. Airway expression of total and active β-catenin was assessed in lung sections, as well as WNT components in laser-microdissected airway epithelium. Finally, we evaluated the role of WNT at the bronchial epithelial level by modulating the pathway in the reconstituted COPD epithelium. FINDINGS We show that the WNT/β-catenin pathway is upregulated in the COPD airway epithelium as compared with that of non-smokers and control smokers, in targeted RNA-sequencing of in vitro reconstituted airway epithelium, and in situ in lung tissue and laser-microdissected epithelium. Extrinsic activation of this pathway in COPD-derived airway epithelium inhibited epithelial differentiation, polarity and barrier function, and induced TGF-β-related epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Conversely, canonical WNT inhibition increased ciliated cell numbers, epithelial polarity and barrier function, whilst inhibiting EMT, thus reversing COPD features. INTERPRETATION In conclusion, the aberrant reactivation of the canonical WNT pathway in the adult airway epithelium recapitulates the diseased phenotype observed in COPD patients, suggesting that this pathway or its downstream effectors could represent a future therapeutic target. FUNDING This study was supported by the Fondation Mont-Godinne, the FNRS and the WELBIO.
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Zhou H, Liu Y, Sun L, Fu M, Zhao Y. Salvianolic acid B activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling following spinal cord injury. Exp Ther Med 2019; 19:825-832. [PMID: 32010242 PMCID: PMC6966170 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.8292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural cell apoptosis serves a key role in spinal cord injury (SCI), which is a threat to human health. The present study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective mechanism of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) in a spinal cord injury (SCI) rat model. Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores demonstrated that Sal B treatment significantly increased locomotor functional recovery in SCI rats compared with SCI model rats between 3 and 8 weeks. Nissl staining demonstrated that Sal B enhanced motor neuron survival and decreased lesion size after SCI. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis demonstrated that Sal B treatment significantly enhanced the mRNA levels of lymphoid enhancer biding factor-1 and HNF1 homeobox A. In addition, Sal B treatment enhanced the expression of β-catenin. Western blot analysis determined that Sal B treatment significantly decreased the expression of pro-apoptosis proteins, including Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and -9, in spinal cord tissues after SCI but enhanced the expression of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein. Furthermore, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining demonstrated that, compared with the SCI group, Sal B treatment decreased the number of TUNEL-positive neurons. In summary, the present study produced novel data demonstrating the neuroprotective effect of Sal B on SCI with the mechanism likely primarily mediated via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The present findings may be of potential therapeutic value for future SCI treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongming Zhou
- Department of Emergency Trauma Surgery, Linyi City Central Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276400, P.R. China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Bone Surgery, Linyi City Central Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276400, P.R. China
| | - Lei Sun
- Department of Orthopedics, Taian City Central Hospital, Taian, Shandong 271000, P.R. China
| | - Ming Fu
- Department of Bone Surgery, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, P.R. China
| | - Yao Zhao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Provincial Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shandong Provincial Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
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Kuang MJ, Zhang WH, He WW, Sun L, Ma JX, Wang D, Ma XL. Naringin regulates bone metabolism in glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head via the Akt/Bad signal cascades. Chem Biol Interact 2019; 304:97-105. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Tao SC, Yuan T, Rui BY, Zhu ZZ, Guo SC, Zhang CQ. Exosomes derived from human platelet-rich plasma prevent apoptosis induced by glucocorticoid-associated endoplasmic reticulum stress in rat osteonecrosis of the femoral head via the Akt/Bad/Bcl-2 signal pathway. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:733-750. [PMID: 28255363 PMCID: PMC5327646 DOI: 10.7150/thno.17450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
An excess of glucocorticoids (GCs) is reported to be one of the most common causes of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). In addition, GCs can induce bone cell apoptosis through modulating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Among the three main signal pathways in ER stress, the PERK (protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase)/CHOP (CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein) pathway has been considered to be closely associated with apoptosis. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been referred to as a concentration of growth factors and the exosomes derived from PRP (PRP-Exos) have a similar effect to their parent material. The enriched growth factors can be encapsulated into PRP-Exos and activate Akt and Erk pathways to promote angiogenesis. Activation of the Akt pathway may promote the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins like Bcl-2, while CHOP can inhibit B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression to increase the level of cleaved caspase-3 and lead to cell death. Consequently, we hypothesized that PRP-Exos prevent apoptosis induced by glucocorticoid-associated ER stress in rat ONFH via the Akt/Bad/Bcl-2 signal pathway. To verify this hypothesis, a dexamethasone (DEX)-treated in vitro cell model and methylprednisolone (MPS)-treated in vivo rat model were adopted. Characterization of PRP-Exos, and effects of PRP-Exos on proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and osteogenesis of cells treated with GCs in vitro and in vivo were examined. Furthermore, the mechanism by which PRP-Exos rescue the GC-induced apoptosis through the Akt/Bad/Bcl-2 pathway was also investigated. The results indicate that PRP-Exos have the capability to prevent GC-induced apoptosis in a rat model of ONFH by promoting Bcl-2 expression via the Akt/Bad/Bcl-2 signal pathway under ER stress.
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