Regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by herpesviruses

A comparative analysis of Marburg virus-infected bat and human models from public high-throughput sequencing data

Marburg virus (MARV) disease (MVD) is an uncommon yet serious viral hemorrhagic fever that impacts humans and non-human primates. In humans, infection by the MARV is marked by rapid onset, high transmissibility, and elevated mortality rates, presenting considerable obstacles to the development of vaccines and treatments. Bats, particularly Rousettus aegyptiacus, are suspected to be natural hosts of MARV. Previous research reported asymptomatic MARV infection in bats, in stark contrast to the severe responses observed in humans and other primates. Recent MARV outbreaks highlight significant public health concerns, underscoring the need for gene expression studies during MARV progression. To investigate this, we employed two models from the Gene Expression Omnibus, including kidney cells from Rousettus aegyptiacus and primary proximal tubular cells from Homo sapiens. These models were chosen to identify changes in gene expression profiles and to examine co-regulated genes and pathways involved in MARV disease progression. Our analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) revealed that these genes are mainly associated with pathways related to the complement system, innate immune response via interferons (IFNs), Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and Hedgehog signaling, which played crucial roles in MARV infection across both models. Furthermore, we also identified several potential compounds that may be useful against MARV infection. These findings offer valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying MARV's pathophysiology and suggest potential strategies for preventing transmission, managing post-infection effects, and developing future vaccines.

Whole exome sequencing of patients with varicella-zoster virus and herpes simplex virus induced acute retinal necrosis reveals rare disease-associated genetic variants

Purpose

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) are neurotropic human alphaherpesviruses endemic worldwide. Upon primary infection, both viruses establish lifelong latency in neurons and reactivate intermittently to cause a variety of mild to severe diseases. Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is a rare, sight-threatening eye disease induced by ocular VZV or HSV infection. The virus and host factors involved in ARN pathogenesis remain incompletely described. We hypothesize an underlying genetic defect in at least part of ARN cases.

Methods

We collected blood from 17 patients with HSV-or VZV-induced ARN, isolated DNA and performed Whole Exome Sequencing by Illumina followed by analysis in Varseq with criteria of CADD score > 15 and frequency in GnomAD < 0.1% combined with biological filters. Gene modifications relative to healthy control genomes were filtered according to high quality and read-depth, low frequency, high deleteriousness predictions and biological relevance.

Results

We identified a total of 50 potentially disease-causing genetic variants, including missense, frameshift and splice site variants and on in-frame deletion in 16 of the 17 patients. The vast majority of these genes are involved in innate immunity, followed by adaptive immunity, autophagy, and apoptosis; in several instances variants within a given gene or pathway was identified in several patients.

Discussion

We propose that the identified variants may contribute to insufficient viral control and increased necrosis ocular disease presentation in the patients and serve as a knowledge base and starting point for the development of improved diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic applications.

Wnt-Independent SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Pulmonary Epithelial Cells

The Wnt signaling pathway within host cells regulates infections by several pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Recent studies suggested that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection depends on β-catenin and can be inhibited by the antileprotic drug clofazimine. Since clofazimine has been identified by us as a specific inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, these works could indicate a potential role of the Wnt pathway in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, we show that the Wnt pathway is active in pulmonary epithelial cells. However, we find that in multiple assays, SARS-CoV-2 infection is insensitive to Wnt inhibitors, including clofazimine, acting at different levels within the pathway. Our findings assert that endogenous Wnt signaling in the lung is unlikely required or involved in the SARS-CoV-2 infection and that pharmacological inhibition of this pathway with clofazimine or other compounds is not a universal way to develop treatments against the SARS-CoV-2 infection. IMPORTANCE The development of inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 infection remains a need of utmost importance. The Wnt signaling pathway in host cells is often implicated in infections by bacteria and viruses. In this work, we show that, despite previous indications, pharmacological modulation of the Wnt pathway does not represent a promising strategy to control SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung epithelia.

Comprehensive insight into altered host cell-signaling cascades upon Helicobacter pylori and Epstein-Barr virus infections in cancer

Cancer is characterized by mutagenic events that lead to disrupted cell signaling and cellular functions. It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Literature suggests that pathogens, mainly Helicobacter pylori and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), have been associated with the etiology of human cancer. Notably, their co-infection may lead to gastric cancer. Pathogen-mediated DNA damage could be the first and crucial step in the carcinogenesis process that modulates numerous cellular signaling pathways. Altogether, it dysregulates the metabolic pathways linked with cell growth, apoptosis, and DNA repair. Modulation in these pathways leads to abnormal growth and proliferation. Several signaling pathways such RTK, RAS/MAPK, PI3K/Akt, NFκB, JAK/STAT, HIF1α, and Wnt/β-catenin are known to be altered in cancer. Therefore, this review focuses on the oncogenic roles of H. pylori, EBV, and its associated signaling cascades in various cancers. Scrutinizing these signaling pathways is crucial and may provide new insights and targets for preventing and treating H. pylori and EBV-associated cancers.

Differential expression profile and in-silico functional analysis of long noncoding RNA and mRNA in duck embryo fibroblasts infected with duck plague virus

Background

Duck plague virus (DPV), belonging to herpesviruses, is a linear double-stranded DNA virus. There are many reports about the outbreak of the duck plague in a variety of countries, which caused huge economic losses. Recently, increasing reports revealed that multiple long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can possess great potential in the regulation of host antiviral immune response. Furthermore, it remains to be determined which specific molecular mechanisms are responsible for the DPV-host interaction in host immunity. Here, lncRNAs and mRNAs in DPV infected duck embryonic fibroblast (DEF) cells were identified by high-throughput RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). And we predicted target genes of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and formed a complex regulatory network depending on in-silico analysis and prediction.

Result

RNA-seq analysis results showed that 2921 lncRNAs were found at 30 h post-infection (hpi). In our study, 218 DE lncRNAs and 2840 DE mRNAs were obtained in DEF after DPV infection. Among these DEGs and target genes, some have been authenticated as immune-related molecules, such as a Macrophage mannose receptor (MR), Anas platyrhynchos toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), leukocyte differentiation antigen, interleukin family, and their related regulatory factors. Furthermore, according to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, we found that the target genes may have important effects on biological development, biosynthesis, signal transduction, cell biological regulation, and cell process. Also, we obtained, the potential targeting relationship existing in DEF cells between host lncRNAs and DPV-encoded miRNAs by software.

Conclusions

This study revealed not only expression changes, but also the possible biological regulatory relationship of lncRNAs and mRNAs in DPV infected DEF cells. Together, these data and analyses provide additional insight into the role of lncRNAs and mRNAs in the host's immune response to DPV infection.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08739-7.

Regulation of herpes simplex virus type 1 latency-reactivation cycle and ocular disease by cellular signaling pathways

Following acute infection, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) establishes life-long latency in sensory and other neurons. Recurrent ocular HSV-1 outbreaks are generally due to reactivation from latency. The HSV-1 latency-reactivation cycle is a complex virus-host relationship. The viral encoded latency-associated transcript (LAT) is abundantly expressed in latency and encodes several micro-RNAs and other small non-coding RNAs, which may regulate expression of key viral and cellular genes. Certain cellular signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin and mTOR pathway, mediate certain aspect of the latency-reactivation cycle. Stress, via activation of the glucocorticoid receptor and other stress induced cellular transcription factors, are predicted to trigger reactivation from latency by stimulating viral gene expression and impairing immune responses and inflammation. These observations suggest stress and certain cellular signaling pathways play key roles in regulating the latency-reactivation cycle and recurrent ocular disease.

Heparanase-Induced Activation of AKT Stabilizes β-Catenin and Modulates Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling during Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Infection

Under pathological conditions like herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection, host-pathogen interactions lead to major reconstruction of the host protein network, which contributes to the dysregulation of signaling pathways and disease onset. Of note is the upregulation of a multifunctional host protein, heparanase (HPSE), following infection, which serves as a mediator in HSV-1 replication. In this study, we identify a novel function of HPSE and highlight it as a key regulator of β-catenin signal transduction. The regulatory role of HPSE on the activation, nuclear translocation, and signal transduction of β-catenin disrupts cellular homeostasis and establishes a pathogenic environment that promotes viral replication. Under normal physiological conditions, β-catenin is bound to a group of proteins, referred to as the destruction complex, and targeted for ubiquitination and, ultimately, degradation. We show that virus-induced upregulation of HPSE leads to the activation of Akt and subsequent stabilization and activation of β-catenin through (i) the release of β-catenin from the destruction complex, and (ii) direct phosphorylation of β-catenin at Ser552. This study also provides an in-depth characterization of the proviral role of β-catenin signaling during HSV-1 replication using physiologically relevant cell lines and in vivo models of ocular infection. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibitors of this pathway generated a robust antiviral state against multiple laboratory and clinical strains of HSV-1. Collectively, our findings assign a novel regulatory role to HPSE as a driver of β-catenin signaling in HSV-1 infection. IMPORTANCE Heparanase (HPSE) and β-catenin have independently been implicated in regulating key pathophysiological processes, including neovascularization, angiogenesis, and inflammation; however, the relationship between the two proteins has remained elusive thus far. For that reason, characterizing this relationship is crucial and can lead to the development of novel therapeutics. For HSV-1 specifically, current antivirals are not able to abolish the virus from the host, leaving patients susceptible to episodes of viral reactivation. Identifying a host-based intervention can provide a better alternative with enhanced efficacy and sustained relief.

Regulation of Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J Replication by Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a highly conserved pathway related to a variety of biological processes in different cells. The regulation of replication of various viruses by Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has been reported. However, the interaction between the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and avian leukosis virus is unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effect of modulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway during avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) infection. The activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by GSK-3 inhibitor increased ALV-J mRNA, viral protein expression, and virus production in CEF cells. This increase was suppressed by iCRT14, one of the specific inhibitors of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, treatment with iCRT14 reduced virus titer and viral gene expression significantly in CEF and LMH cells in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by knockdown of β-catenin reduced virus proliferation in CEF cells also. Collectively, these results suggested that the status of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway modulated ALV-J replication. These studies extend our understanding of the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in ALV-J replication and make a new contribution to understanding the virus–host interactions of avian leukosis virus.

Viruses in colorectal cancer

Increasing evidence suggests that microorganisms might represent at least highly interesting cofactors in colorectal cancer (CRC) oncogenesis and progression. Still, associated mechanisms, specifically in colonocytes and their microenvironmental interactions, are still poorly understood. Although, currently, at least seven viruses are being recognized as human carcinogens, only three of these – Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), human papillomavirus (HPV) and John Cunningham virus (JCV) – have been described, with varying levels of evidence, in CRC. In addition, cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been associated with CRC in some publications, albeit not being a fully acknowledged oncovirus. Moreover, recent microbiome studies set increasing grounds for new hypotheses on bacteriophages as interesting additional modulators in CRC carcinogenesis and progression. The present Review summarizes how particular groups of viruses, including bacteriophages, affect cells and the cellular and microbial microenvironment, thereby putatively contributing to foster CRC. This could be achieved, for example, by promoting several processes – such as DNA damage, chromosomal instability, or molecular aspects of cell proliferation, CRC progression and metastasis – not necessarily by direct infection of epithelial cells only, but also by interaction with the microenvironment of infected cells. In this context, there are striking common features of EBV, CMV, HPV and JCV that are able to promote oncogenesis, in terms of establishing latent infections and affecting p53‐/pRb‐driven, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐/EGFR‐associated and especially Wnt/β‐catenin‐driven pathways. We speculate that, at least in part, such viral impacts on particular pathways might be reflected in lasting (e.g. mutational or further genomic) fingerprints of viruses in cells. Also, the complex interplay between several species within the intestinal microbiome, involving a direct or indirect impact on colorectal and microenvironmental cells but also between, for example, phages and bacterial and viral pathogens, and further novel species certainly might, in part, explain ongoing difficulties to establish unequivocal monocausal links between specific viral infections and CRC.

Phosphorylation of Shrimp Tcf by a Viral Protein Kinase WSV083 Suppresses Its Antiviral Effect

Nuclear DNA-binding TCF proteins, which act as the main downstream effectors of Wnt signaling, are essential for the regulation of cell fate and innate immunity. However, their role during viral infection in shrimp remains unknown. Herein, we demonstrated that Litopenaeus vannamei TCF (LvTcf) acts independently of Lvβ-catenin to promote interferon-like protein LvVago1 production, thus mounting the response to WSSV infection. Further, we observed that WSV083, a WSSV serine/threonine protein kinase, bound to LvTcf and phosphorylated it. Phosphorylated LvTcf was then recognized and degraded via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Moreover, mass spectrometry analyses indicated that the T39 and T104 residues of LvTcf were target sites phosphorylated by WSV083. Point mutation analyses suggested that additional sites of LvTcf may undergo phosphorylation via WSV083. Taken together, the current work provides valuable insights into host immunity and viral pathogenesis. LvTcf is not only a modulator of shrimp innate immunity but is also an important target for WSSV immune evasion. Thus, the current findings will help improve disease control in shrimps.

Mechanisms of Chemopreventive and Therapeutic Proprieties of Ginger Extracts in Cancer

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, family: Zingiberaceae), originating in South-East Asia, is one of the most used spices and condiments for foods and beverages. It is also used in traditional medicine for many human disorders including fever, gastrointestinal complications, arthritis, rheumatism, hypertension, and various infectious diseases due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiemetic properties. Intriguingly, many recent studies evidenced the potent chemopreventive characteristics of ginger extracts against different types of cancer. The aim of this work is to review the literature related to the use of ginger extracts as a chemotherapeutic agent and to structure the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which ginger acts in different cancer types. Data summarized from experiments (in vitro or in vivo) and clinical studies, evidenced in this review, show that ginger derivatives perpetrate its anti-tumor action through important mediators, involved in crucial cell processes, such as cell cycle arrest, induction of cancer cell death, misbalance of redox homeostasis, inhibition of cell proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, and dissemination of cancer cells.

Disruption of innate defense responses by endoglycosidase HPSE promotes cell survival

The drive to withstand environmental stresses and defend against invasion is a universal trait extant in all forms of life. While numerous canonical signaling cascades have been characterized in detail, it remains unclear how these pathways interface to generate coordinated responses to diverse stimuli. To dissect these connections, we followed heparanase (HPSE), a protein best known for its endoglycosidic activity at the extracellular matrix but recently recognized to drive various forms of late-stage disease through unknown mechanisms. Using herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection as a model cellular perturbation, we demonstrate that HPSE acts beyond its established enzymatic role to restrict multiple forms of cell-intrinsic defense and facilitate host cell reprogramming by the invading pathogen. We reveal that cells devoid of HPSE are innately resistant to infection and counteract viral takeover through multiple amplified defense mechanisms. With a unique grasp of the fundamental processes of transcriptional regulation and cell death, HPSE represents a potent cellular intersection with broad therapeutic potential.

Overexpression of long noncoding RNA HOXB-AS3 indicates an unfavorable prognosis and promotes tumorigenesis in epithelial ovarian cancer via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Long noncoding RNA HOXB cluster antisense RNA 3 (HOXB-AS3) has been reported to be dysregulated in several tumors. The present study mainly aims at the investigation in how HOXB-AS3 works in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and to elucidate the mechanism involved. Initially, 'GEPIA' was mined to examine the differential expression levels and prognostic value of HOXB-AS3 in EOC patients. The expression of HOXB-AS3 in EOC cell lines and patient specimens was examined with quantitative RT-PCR. Simultaneously, the correlation of HOXB-AS3 expression with a variety of clinicopathological factors and patient survival was analyzed. MTT, colony formation and flow cytometry assays were performed to analyze the cell viability of EOC cells. Wound healing and Transwell assays were carried out to determine EOC cells' capability of migrating and invading. The impact of HOXB-AS3 on EMT and Wnt/β-catenin signaling was explored with the approach of Western blot. We found that in both EOC cell lines and tissues, HOXB-AS3 expression was significantly up-regulated, and its high expression was an independent prognostic marker of poor outcome for EOC patients. In vitro loss-of-function assays revealed that HOXB-AS3 knockdown inhibited EOC cells proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT, and induced EOC cells' apoptosis. Furthermore, we validated that down-regulated HOXB-AS3 attenuated the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling to suppress the invasion, migration and proliferation of EOC cells. To sum up, the present study came up with the conclusion that HOXB-AS3 acts as an oncogenic gene in EOC progression through HOXB-AS3-Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulation, providing a novel insight into EOC tumorigenesis.

VDR agonists down regulate PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis and trigger autophagy in Kaposi's sarcoma cells

The Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus G protein-coupled receptor (KSHV/vGPCR) is a key molecule in the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma. We have previously shown that 1α,25(OH)2D3 or its less-calcemic analog TX 527 inhibits the proliferation of endothelial cells expressing vGPCR, NF-κB activity and induces apoptosis in a VDR dependent manner. In this work, we further explored whether 1α,25(OH)2D3 or TX 527 regulates PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis and induces autophagy as part of its antineoplastic mechanism of action. Proliferation assays indicated that vGPCR cell number decreased in presence of LY294002 (PI3K/Akt inhibitor) likewise 1α,25(OH)2D3 or TX 527 (10 nM, 48 h). Also, Akt phosphorylation was found decreased in dose (0.1-100 nM) and time response studies (12-72 h) after both compounds treatments. In addition, decreased phosphorylated Akt was significantly observed in the nucleus. Moreover, regulation of Akt phosphorylation was NF-κB and VDR dependent. TNFAIP3/A20, an ubiquitin-editing enzyme, a direct NF-κB target gene and a negative regulator of Beclin-1, was down-regulated whereas Beclin-1 was up-regulated after 10 nM of 1α,25(OH)2D3 or TX 527 treatment. Decrement in Akt phosphorylation was accompanied by a reduced mTOR phosphorylation and an increase in the autophagy marker LC3-II. Since increment in autophagosomes not always indicates increment in autophagy activity, we used Chloroquine (CQ, 1 μM), an inhibitor of autophagy flow, to confirm autophagy after both VDR agonists treatment. In conclusion, VDR agonists, 1α,25(OH)2D3 or TX 527, inhibited PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis and induced autophagy in endothelial cells expressing vGPCR by a VDR-dependent mechanism.

Molecular Determinants and the Regulation of Human Cytomegalovirus Latency and Reactivation

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a beta herpesvirus that establishes a life-long persistence in the host, like all herpesviruses, by way of a latent infection. During latency, viral genomes are maintained in a quieted state. Virus replication can be reactivated from latency in response to changes in cellular signaling caused by stress or differentiation. The past decade has brought great insights into the molecular basis of HCMV latency. Here, we review the complex persistence of HCMV with consideration of latent reservoirs, viral determinants and their host interactions, and host signaling and the control of cellular and viral gene expression that contributes to the establishment of and reactivation from latency.

Zerumbone inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cells properties by inhibiting the β-catenin pathway through miR-200c

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most lethal and rampant human malignancies in the world. Zerumbone, a sesquiterpene isolated from subtropical ginger, has been found to exhibit an antitumor effect in various cancer types. However, the effect of Zerumbone on the biological properties of CRC, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) has not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the inhibitory action of Zerumbone on the EMT process, CSC markers, and the β-catenin signaling pathway in the presence or absence of miR-200c. The effect of Zerumbone on HCT-116 and SW-48 cells viability was examined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The effects of Zerumbone on EMT-related genes, CSCs markers, cell migration, invasion, sphere-forming, and β-catenin signaling pathway were explored. To evaluate the role of miR-200c in anticancer effects by Zerumbone, miR-200c was downregulated by LNA-anti-miR-200c. Zerumbone significantly inhibited cell viability, migration, invasion, and sphere-forming potential in HCT-116 and SW-48 cell lines. Zerumbone significantly suppressed the EMT and CSC properties as well as downregulated the β-catenin. Silencing of miR200c reduced the inhibitory effects of Zerumbone on EMT and CSCs in CRC cells. These data indicated that Zerumbone may be a promising candidate for reducing the risk of CRC progression by suppressing the β-catenin pathway via miR-200c.

Wnt5b regulates apoptosis in Litopenaeus vannamei against white spot syndrome virus

The Wnt signaling mediated by Wnt proteins that orchestrate and influence a myriad of cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, tumorigenesis, apoptosis, and participation in immune defense during microbe infection. Wnt5b is one of the Wnt signaling molecules that initiate the cascade. In this study, we cloned and characterized a Wnt5b homolog from Litopenaeus vannamei designed as LvWnt5b. The full length of LvWnt5b transcript was 1726 bp with an 1107 bp open reading frame that encoded a 368 aa protein, which contained 24 discontinuous and highly conserved cysteine. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the transcriptional level of LvWnt5b was down-regulated when infected with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Knock-down of LvWnt5b resulted in inhibition of the transcriptional level of WSSV gene ie1, indicating that LvWnt5b mediated signaling pathway may play an important role in defense against WSSV infection. When LvWnt5b was silenced, caspase3/7 activity in hemocytes was increased significantly, and the transcription of viral gene was decreased as well. Moreover, overexpression of LvWnt5b in HEK293T cells led to inhibition of caspase3/7 activity, which further proved the role of LvWnt5b in restraining apoptosis. The study showed that the shrimp may decrease the expression of LvWnt5b initiatively to act as an immune defense mechanism against WSSV infection via promoting apoptosis. It will be helpful for understanding the function of Wnt signaling pathway in virus invasion and host defense.

Curcumin reversed chronic tobacco smoke exposure induced urocystic EMT and acquisition of cancer stem cells properties via Wnt/β-catenin

Tobacco smoke (TS) is the most important single risk factor for bladder cancer. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a transdifferentiation process, involved in the initiation of TS-related cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have an essential role in the progression of many tumors including TS-related cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of TS exposure induced urocystic EMT and acquisition of CSCs properties remains undefined. Wnt/β-catenin pathway is critical for EMT and the maintenance of CSCs. The aim of our present study was to investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in chronic TS exposure induced urocystic EMT, stemness acquisition and the preventive effect of curcumin. Long time TS exposure induced EMT changes and the levels of CSCs' markers were significant upregulated. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulated TS-triggered EMT and stemness, as evidenced by the findings that TS elevated Wnt/β-catenin activation, and that TS-mediated EMT and stemness were attenuated by Wnt/β-catenin inhibition. Treatment of curcumin reversed TS-elicited activation of Wnt/β-catenin, EMT and CSCs properties. Collectively, these data indicated the regulatory role of Wnt/β-catenin in TS-triggered urocystic EMT, acquisition of CSCs properties and the chemopreventive effect of curcumin.