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Zhu X, Senoo M, Millar SE, Ma G. Wnt/β-catenin signaling controls mouse eyelid growth by mediating epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. Ocul Surf 2023; 29:486-494. [PMID: 37453535 PMCID: PMC10530504 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in mouse eyelid development. METHODS Wnt/β-catenin signaling was disrupted by deleting supraorbital mesenchymal β-catenin or epithelial Wls. p63 was removed to determine whether the expression of Wnts is affected. The eyelid morphology was examined at different stages. Proliferation, apoptosis, and expression of Wnt ligands and their target genes were analyzed via immunofluorescence staining, TUNEL assay, and in situ hybridization. RESULTS Deletion of β-catenin in supraorbital mesenchyme abolishes eyelid growth by causing decreased proliferation in supraorbital epithelium and underlying mesenchyme. Inhibition of Wnt secretion by deleting Wls in supraorbital epithelium results in failure of eyelid development, similar to the effects of deleting mesenchymal β-catenin. Knockout of p63 results in formation of hypoplastic eyelids and reduced expression of several Wnt ligands in eyelid epithelium. CONCLUSIONS Epithelial Wnt ligands activate mesenchymal Wnt/β-catenin signaling to control eyelid growth and their expression is partially regulated by p63.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuming Zhu
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Makoto Senoo
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Sarah E Millar
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - Gang Ma
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China.
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Miyamoto M, Kannan S, Anderson MJ, Liu X, Suh D, Htet M, Li B, Kakani T, Murphy S, Tampakakis E, Lewandoski M, Andersen P, Uosaki H, Kwon C. Cardiac progenitors instruct second heart field fate through Wnts. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2217687120. [PMID: 36649430 PMCID: PMC9942880 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2217687120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The heart develops in a synchronized sequence of proliferation and differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) from two anatomically distinct pools of cells, the first heart field (FHF) and second heart field (SHF). Congenital heart defects arise upon dysregulation of these processes, many of which are restricted to derivatives of the FHF or SHF. Of the conserved set of signaling pathways that regulate development, the Wnt signaling pathway has long been known for its importance in SHF development. The source of such Wnts has remained elusive, though it has been postulated that these Wnts are secreted from ectodermal or endodermal sources. The central question remains unanswered: Where do these Wnts come from? Here, we show that CPCs autoregulate SHF development via Wnt through genetic manipulation of a key Wnt export protein (Wls), scRNA-seq analysis of CPCs, and use of our precardiac organoid system. Through this, we identify dysregulated developmental trajectories of anterior SHF cell fate, leading to a striking single ventricle phenotype in knockout embryos. We then applied our findings to our precardiac organoid model and found that Wnt2 is sufficient to restore SHF cell fate in our model of disrupted endogenous Wnt signaling. In this study, we provide a basis for SHF cell fate decision-proliferation vs. differentiation-autoregulated by CPCs through Wnt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Miyamoto
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Suraj Kannan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Matthew J. Anderson
- Genetics of Vertebrate Development Section, Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD, 21702
| | - Xihe Liu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - David Suh
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Myo Htet
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Biyi Li
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Tejasvi Kakani
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Sean Murphy
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Emmanouil Tampakakis
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Mark Lewandoski
- Genetics of Vertebrate Development Section, Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD, 21702
| | - Peter Andersen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205
| | - Hideki Uosaki
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi329-0498, Japan
| | - Chulan Kwon
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205
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Wei X, Roudier MP, Kwon OJ, Lee JD, Kong K, Dumpit R, True L, Morrissey C, Lin DW, Nelson PS, Xin L. Paracrine Wnt signaling is necessary for prostate epithelial proliferation. Prostate 2022; 82:517-530. [PMID: 35014711 PMCID: PMC8866211 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Wnt proteins play key roles in the development, homeostasis, and disease progression of many organs including the prostate. However, the spatiotemporal expression patterns of Wnt proteins in prostate cell lineages at different developmental stages and in prostate cancer remain inadequately characterized. METHODS We isolated the epithelial and stromal cells in the developing and mature mouse prostate by flow cytometry and determined the expression levels of Wnt ligands. We used Visium spatial gene expression analysis to determine the spatial distribution of Wnt ligands in the mouse prostatic glands. Using laser-capture microscopy in combination with gene expression analysis, we also determined the expression patterns of Wnt signaling components in stromal and cancer cells in advanced human prostate cancer specimens. To investigate how the stroma-derived Wnt ligands affect prostate development and homeostasis, we used a Col1a2-CreERT2 mouse model to disrupt the Wnt transporter Wntless specifically in prostate stromal cells. RESULTS We showed that the prostate stromal cells are a major source of several Wnt ligands. Visium spatial gene expression analysis revealed a distinct spatial distribution of Wnt ligands in the prostatic glands. We also showed that Wnt signaling components are highly expressed in the stromal compartment of primary and advanced human prostate cancer. Blocking stromal Wnt secretion attenuated prostate epithelial proliferation and regeneration but did not affect cell survival and lineage maintenance. DISCUSSION Our study demonstrates a critical role of stroma-derived Wnt ligands in prostate development and homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Wei
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
| | | | - Oh-Joon Kwon
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
| | - Justin Daho Lee
- Molecular Engineering Ph.D. Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
| | - Kevin Kong
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
| | - Ruth Dumpit
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
| | - Lawrence True
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
| | - Colm Morrissey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
| | - Daniel W. Lin
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
| | - Peter S. Nelson
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
| | - Li Xin
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
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Sim SL, Blumenthal A, Kaur S, Khosrotehrani K. Myeloid Wls expression is dispensable for skin wound healing and blood vessel regeneration. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:957833. [PMID: 36082070 PMCID: PMC9446346 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.957833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling controls blood vessel growth, regression and patterning during embryonic and postnatal life. Macrophages are major producers of Wnt ligands and angiogenic growth factors. It regulates vascular development and specification during embryogenesis and wound healing. Macrophage dysregulation in wound healing impairs vessel regeneration and delay wound closure. During cutaneous wound healing, the endovascular progenitors (EVPs) proliferate and differentiate into mature endothelial (D) cells in response to signals produced by perivascular cells, including macrophages, governing blood vessels regeneration. However, the role of macrophage's Wnt production on endothelial cells, especially the EVPs during wound healing is currently unknown. Here we used a cutaneous excisional wound model in mice with conditional deletion of Wnt secretion by myeloid cells (Wlsfl/flLysM-Cre+ ) to assess the kinetics of endothelial subpopulations (including EVP), myeloid infiltration, collagen deposition and wound closure. Deletion of Wls expression by myeloid cells did not affect wound closure and collagen deposition, indicating that myeloid Wls expression does not promote wound healing and regeneration. Myeloid-specific Wls deletion elevated the EVP population during the peak of angiogenesis, yet without affecting blood vessel density. Wounds in Wlsfl/flLysM-Cre+ animals showed unperturbed myeloid infiltration and differentiation. Overall, our data indicate that macrophage Wnt production shapes EVP kinetics without major relevance to wound healing. These findings extend the knowledge of macrophage and endothelial molecular crosstalk and position myeloid-derived Wnt production as a regulator of endovascular progenitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seen Ling Sim
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Antje Blumenthal
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Simranpreet Kaur
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Mater Research Institute – The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kiarash Khosrotehrani
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- *Correspondence: Kiarash Khosrotehrani,
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Hu S, Ouyang S, Liu H, Zhang D, Deng Z. The effect of Wnt/β-catenin pathway on the scleral remolding in the mouse during form deprivation. Int Ophthalmol 2021; 41:3099-3107. [PMID: 33983548 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-021-01875-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many reports have shown that Wnt/β-Catenin pathway is associated with a variety of diseases, but its role in the pathogenesis of myopia is still unknown. In order to clarify the role of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the development of form deprivation myopia (FDM), this study investigated the expression of scleral Wls, β-catenin and TCF4 in mice model of form deprivation (FD) myopia. METHODS Three parallel experimental groups, including FD, monocular exposure (SC) and binocular exposure (NC) group, were designed to investigate the effects of Wnt/β-Catenin pathway on scleral remodeling mouse during form deprivation in three-week-old C57BL/6 mice. Diopters and axial lengths (AL) in each sample were measured with an infrared eccentric refractometer or spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The expression of scleral Wls, β-catenin and TCF4 were detected with Western blot. Morphological changes of posterior sclera were observed with a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The above characterization and analysis were performed on the 0th, 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days, respectively. RESULTS The difference of diopter and AL between the three groups (SC, NC and FD group) gradually increased with the prolongation of FD time (except AL between SC and NC groups). The changes of diopter and AL gradually increased with the prolongation of FD time. Especially, the diopter and AL will increase sharply after FD lasts for a long time, such as the measurement on the 21st for diopter and 28th days for AL. Most notably, the AL of FD eyes significantly increased after 28 days of deprivation. Thinning and disordered arrangement of collagen fibers and a decrease of extracellular matrix were observed with TEM. The expression of scleral Wls, β-catenin and TCF4 increased with age in the NC and SC group. In FD group, they increased significantly on the 7th, 14th and 21st days but decreased on the 28th day. CONCLUSIONS The expression of Wls, β-Catenin and TCF4 to FD were more sensitive indicators than that of diopter and AL. Within the first 7 days of FD, the expression of Wls, β-Catenin and TCF4 in sclera increased sharply. With the extension of FD duration, it gradually decreased. It is suggested that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway might be involved in the scleral remodeling induced in FDM mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyu Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Sha Ouyang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hanhan Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Daren Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhihong Deng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Chen L, Zhang W, Huang R, Miao X, Li J, Yu D, Li Y, Hsu W, Qiu M, Zhang Z, Li F. The function of Wls in ovarian development. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 522:111142. [PMID: 33359762 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.111142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
WNT ligand transporter Wls is essential for the WNT dependent developmental and pathogenic processes. The spatiotemporal expression pattern of Wls was investigated in this study. Immature female mice (21-22 days old) were treated with 5 IU, pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) to stimulate follicular development, followed 48 h later by injection with 5 IU, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) to induce ovulation. The expression of Wls was stimulated in granulosa cells and the forming corpus luteum after hCG administration. To study the function of Wls, the Amhr2tm3(cre)Bhr strain was used to target deletion of Wls in granulosa cells. The deletion of Wls caused a significant decrease in the fertility of WlsAmhr2-Cre female mice. In female WlsAmhr2-Cre mice, decreased ovarian size and number of antral follicles were found. The number of corpus luteum in immature PMSG/hCG primed WlsAmhr2-Cre mice was much less than that in the control group. Compared with control animals, WlsAmhr2-Cre mice have lower serum progesterone levels. RNA sequencing was used to identify genes regulated by Wls after hCG treatment. Several genes known to be critical for follicle development and steroidogenesis were significantly down-regulated, such as Fshr, Lhcgr, Sfrp4, Inhba, Cyp17a1, Hsd3b1, and Hsd17b7. The expression of WNT signaling downstream target genes, Bmp2 and Cyp19a1, also decreased significantly in WlsAmhr2-Cre ovary. In summary, the findings of this study suggest that Wls is critical for female fertility and luteinization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyi Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruiqi Huang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoping Miao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianying Li
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongliang Yu
- Plant Genomics & Molecular Improvement of Colored Fiber Lab, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Li
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Hsu
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, Center for Oral Biology, James P Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Mengsheng Qiu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036, People's Republic of China
| | - Zunyi Zhang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036, People's Republic of China
| | - Feixue Li
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036, People's Republic of China.
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Zhou C, Sun Y, Guo S, Chen X, Bao G, Wang J. Wls Expression Correlates with Tumor Differentiation and TNM Stage in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Dig Dis Sci 2018; 63:166-172. [PMID: 29127606 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-017-4823-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. Effective biomarkers are necessary to predict the clinical course and outcome of patients with HCC. Wntless (Wls) is a key modulator of Wnt protein secretion and is overexpressed in various human cancers. However, the mechanism and alteration of Wls expression in HCC have not been clarified. AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate expression level of Wls in HCC and its clinical significance. METHODS The levels of Wls expression were investigated in 84 HCC tissues using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Wls was negatively expressed in normal liver tissue and was negatively or weakly (score 0) expressed in liver cirrhosis. Twenty-eight out of 84 samples (33.3%) were negative or weakly (score 0) expressed Wls, 38 out of 84 (45.2%) moderately (1+) expressed Wls, and 18 out of 84 (21.4%) strongly (2+) expressed Wls. Wls expression was positively associated with tumor size (P = 0.005, r = 0.302), tumor TNM stage (P = 0.017, r = 0.261), AFP (P = 0.051), and HBV infection (P = 0.009, r = 0.283), and was negatively associated with differentiation (P < 0.001, r = - 0.552). No significant relationship between Wls expression and liver cirrhosis, ALT, GGT, age, sex, or tumor focality was found. CONCLUSIONS Our data showed that Wls was differentially expressed in HCC. Statistical analysis results suggest that Wls expression might increase as HCC progresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhou
- Department of Infection, Danyang People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province, No.2 Xinmin Xi Lu, Dan Yang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuejun Sun
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Jiangyin, 214400, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuwei Guo
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, No.305 Zhong Shan Dong Lu, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, No.305 Zhong Shan Dong Lu, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Genchong Bao
- Department of Infection, Danyang People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province, No.2 Xinmin Xi Lu, Dan Yang, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jiandong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, No.305 Zhong Shan Dong Lu, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China.
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Sun J, Yu S, Zhang X, Capac C, Aligbe O, Daudelin T, Bonder EM, Gao N. A Wntless-SEC12 complex on the ER membrane regulates early Wnt secretory vesicle assembly and mature ligand export. J Cell Sci 2017; 130:2159-2171. [PMID: 28515233 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.200634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Wntless (Wls) transports Wnt molecules for secretion; however, the cellular mechanism underlying the initial assembly of Wnt secretory vesicles is still not fully defined. Here, we performed proteomic and mutagenic analyses of mammalian Wls, and report a mechanism for formation of early Wnt secretory vesicles on ER membrane. Wls forms a complex with SEC12 (also known as PREB), an ER membrane-localized guanine nucleotide-exchange factor (GEF) activator of the SAR1 (the SAR1A isoform) small GTPase. Compared to palmitoylation-deficient Wnt molecules, binding of mature Wnt to Wls increases Wls-SEC12 interaction and promotes association of Wls with SAR1, the key activator of the COPII machinery. Incorporation of Wls into this exporting ER compartment is affected by Wnt ligand binding and SEC12 binding to Wls, as well as the structural integrity and, potentially, the folding of the cytosolic tail of Wls. In contrast, Wls-SEC12 binding is stable, with the interacting interface biochemically mapped to cytosolic segments of individual proteins. Mutant Wls that fails to communicate with the COPII machinery cannot effectively support Wnt secretion. These data suggest that formation of early Wnt secretory vesicles is carefully regulated to ensure proper export of functional ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Sun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Shiyan Yu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Catherine Capac
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | | | - Timothy Daudelin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Edward M Bonder
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Nan Gao
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA .,Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
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Zhang W, Tao H, Chen X, Sugimura H, Wang J, Zhou P. High expression of Wls is associated with lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage in gastric carcinomas. Pathol Int 2017; 67:141-146. [PMID: 28110490 DOI: 10.1111/pin.12508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The roles of Wnt protein in carcinogenesis have been well documented in human cancers. Wls is a key modulator for the secretion of Wnt protein. We previously found that Wls was aberrantly expressed in colorectal carcinomas. Studies have revealed that dysregulation of Wnt signal transduction plays an important role in gastric carcinoma. We hypothesized that Wls may play a role in the development and progression of gastric carcinoma. In this study, three gastric cancer cell lines MGC-803, SGC-7901, and AGS, and a set of gastric carcinoma tissue specimens were subjected to immunohistochemistry. The relationship between the expression of Wls and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed. Wls was negatively detected in MGC-803, positively detected in SGC-7901 and AGS cell lines. Wls was weakly expressed in 9.7% (15/154), moderately in 33.1% (51/154), and strongly in 57.1% (88/154) of tested gastric carcinoma specimens. High expression of Wls was positively associated with well and moderately differentiated tumors (P = 0.035, rs = 0.170), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.001, rs = 0.276), and advanced TNM stage (P = 0.006, rs = 0.219). Our data suggest that Wls protein is related to tumor metastasis and advanced TNM stage, and may be used as a new marker for prognosis of gastric carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Taixing People's Hospital, Taixing, Jiangshu 225400, China
| | - Hong Tao
- Department of Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1, Handayama, Hamamatus 431-3192, Japan
| | - Xiao Chen
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Haruhiko Sugimura
- Department of Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1, Handayama, Hamamatus 431-3192, Japan
| | - Jiandong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Taixing People's Hospital, Taixing, Jiangshu 225400, China
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Snowball J, Ambalavanan M, Whitsett J, Sinner D. Endodermal Wnt signaling is required for tracheal cartilage formation. Dev Biol 2015; 405:56-70. [PMID: 26093309 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2015] [Revised: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tracheobronchomalacia is a common congenital defect in which the walls of the trachea and bronchi lack of adequate cartilage required for support of the airways. Deletion of Wls, a cargo receptor mediating Wnt ligand secretion, in the embryonic endoderm using ShhCre mice inhibited formation of tracheal-bronchial cartilaginous rings. The normal dorsal-ventral patterning of tracheal mesenchyme was lost. Smooth muscle cells, identified by Acta2 staining, were aberrantly located in ventral mesenchyme of the trachea, normally the region of Sox9 expression in cartilage progenitors. Wnt/β-catenin activity, indicated by Axin2 LacZ reporter, was decreased in tracheal mesenchyme of Wls(f/f);Shh(Cre/+) embryos. Proliferation of chondroblasts was decreased and reciprocally, proliferation of smooth muscle cells was increased in Wls(f/f);Shh(Cre/+) tracheal tissue. Expression of Tbx4, Tbx5, Msx1 and Msx2, known to mediate cartilage and muscle patterning, were decreased in tracheal mesenchyme of Wls(f/f);Shh(Cre/+) embryos. Ex vivo studies demonstrated that Wnt7b and Wnt5a, expressed by the epithelium of developing trachea, and active Wnt/β-catenin signaling are required for tracheal chondrogenesis before formation of mesenchymal condensations. In conclusion, Wnt ligands produced by the tracheal epithelium pattern the tracheal mesenchyme via modulation of gene expression and cell proliferation required for proper tracheal cartilage and smooth muscle differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Snowball
- The Perinatal Institute Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Medical Center Research Foundation, USA
| | - Manoj Ambalavanan
- The Perinatal Institute Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Medical Center Research Foundation, USA
| | - Jeffrey Whitsett
- The Perinatal Institute Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Medical Center Research Foundation, USA; University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati OH 45229, USA
| | - Debora Sinner
- The Perinatal Institute Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Medical Center Research Foundation, USA; University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati OH 45229, USA.
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Snowball J, Ambalavanan M, Cornett B, Lang R, Whitsett J, Sinner D. Mesenchymal Wnt signaling promotes formation of sternum and thoracic body wall. Dev Biol 2015; 401:264-75. [PMID: 25727890 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Midline defects account for approximately 5% of congenital abnormalities observed at birth. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of the ventral body wall are not well understood. Recent studies linked mutations in Porcupine-an O-acetyl transferase mediating Wnt ligand acylation-with defects in the thoracic body wall. We hypothesized that anomalous Wnt signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of defective closure of the thoracic body wall. We generated a mouse model wherein Wntless (Wls), which encodes a cargo receptor mediating secretion of Wnt ligands, was conditionally deleted from the developing mesenchyme using Dermo1Cre mice. Wls(f/f);Dermo1(Cre/+) embryos died during mid-gestation. At E13.5, skeletal defects were observed in the forelimbs, jaw, and rib cage. At E14.5, midline defects in the thoracic body wall began to emerge: the sternum failed to fuse and the heart protruded through the body wall at the midline (ectopia cordis). To determine the molecular mechanism underlying the phenotype observed in Wls(f/f);Dermo1(Cre/+) embryos, we tested whether Wnt/β-catenin signaling was operative in developing the embryonic ventral body wall using Axin2(LacZ) and BatGal reporter mice. While Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity was observed at the midline of the ventral body wall before sternal fusion, this pattern of activity was altered and scattered throughout the body wall after mesenchymal deletion of Wls. Mesenchymal cell migration was disrupted in Wls(f/f);Dermo1(Cre/+) thoracic body wall partially due to anomalous β-catenin independent Wnt signaling as determined by in vitro assays. Deletion of Lrp5 and Lrp6 receptors, which mediate Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the mesenchyme, partially recapitulated the phenotype observed in the chest midline of Wls(f/f);Dermo1(Cre/+) embryos supporting a role for Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity in the normal formation of the ventral body wall mesenchyme. We conclude that Wls-mediated secretion of Wnt ligands from the developing ventral body wall mesenchyme plays a critical role in fusion of the sternum and closure of the secondary body wall. Thus, impaired Wls activity in the ventral body wall mesenchyme is a mechanism underlying ectopia cordis and unfused sternum.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Snowball
- The Perinatal Institute Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati, OH 4522, USA
| | - Manoj Ambalavanan
- The Perinatal Institute Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati, OH 4522, USA
| | - Bridget Cornett
- The Perinatal Institute Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati, OH 4522, USA
| | - Richard Lang
- The Visual Systems Group Division of Developmental Biology and Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children׳s Medical Center Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Jeffrey Whitsett
- The Perinatal Institute Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati, OH 4522, USA; University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Debora Sinner
- The Perinatal Institute Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati, OH 4522, USA; University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
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Yeung J, Ha TJ, Swanson DJ, Choi K, Tong Y, Goldowitz D. Wls provides a new compartmental view of the rhombic lip in mouse cerebellar development. J Neurosci 2014; 34:12527-37. [PMID: 25209290 DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1330-14.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Math1 is the defining molecule of the cerebellar rhombic lip and Pax6 is downstream in the Math1 pathway. In the present study, we discover that Wntless (Wls) is a novel molecular marker of the cells in the interior face of the rhombic lip throughout normal mouse cerebellar development. Wls expression is found complementary to the expression of Math1 and Pax6, which are localized to the exterior face of the rhombic lip. To determine the interaction between these molecules, we examine the loss-of-Math1 or loss-of-Pax6 in the cerebellum, i.e., the Math1-null and Pax6-null (Sey) mutant cerebella. The presence of Wls-positive cells in the Math1-null rhombic lip indicates that Wls expression is independent of Math1. In the Sey mutant cerebellum, there is an expansion of Wls-expressing cells into regions that are normally colonized by Pax6-expressing cells. The ectopic expression of Wls in the Pax6-null cerebellum suggests a negative interaction between Wls-expressing cells and Pax6-positive cells. These findings suggest that the rhombic lip is dynamically patterned by the expression of Wls, Math1, and Pax6. We also examine five rhombic lip cell markers (Wls, Math1, Pax6, Lmx1a, and Tbr2) to identify four molecularly distinct compartments in the rhombic lip during cerebellar development. The existence of spatial compartmentation in the rhombic lip and the interplay between Wls, Math1, and Pax6 in the rhombic lip provides novel views of early cerebellar development.
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Yeung J, Ha TJ, Swanson DJ, Choi K, Tong Y, Goldowitz D. Wls provides a new compartmental view of the rhombic lip in mouse cerebellar development. J Neurosci 2014; 34:12527-37. [PMID: 25209290 DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1330-14.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Math1 is the defining molecule of the cerebellar rhombic lip and Pax6 is downstream in the Math1 pathway. In the present study, we discover that Wntless (Wls) is a novel molecular marker of the cells in the interior face of the rhombic lip throughout normal mouse cerebellar development. Wls expression is found complementary to the expression of Math1 and Pax6, which are localized to the exterior face of the rhombic lip. To determine the interaction between these molecules, we examine the loss-of-Math1 or loss-of-Pax6 in the cerebellum, i.e., the Math1-null and Pax6-null (Sey) mutant cerebella. The presence of Wls-positive cells in the Math1-null rhombic lip indicates that Wls expression is independent of Math1. In the Sey mutant cerebellum, there is an expansion of Wls-expressing cells into regions that are normally colonized by Pax6-expressing cells. The ectopic expression of Wls in the Pax6-null cerebellum suggests a negative interaction between Wls-expressing cells and Pax6-positive cells. These findings suggest that the rhombic lip is dynamically patterned by the expression of Wls, Math1, and Pax6. We also examine five rhombic lip cell markers (Wls, Math1, Pax6, Lmx1a, and Tbr2) to identify four molecularly distinct compartments in the rhombic lip during cerebellar development. The existence of spatial compartmentation in the rhombic lip and the interplay between Wls, Math1, and Pax6 in the rhombic lip provides novel views of early cerebellar development.
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Zhang L, Li H, Yu J, Cao J, Chen H, Zhao H, Zhao J, Yao Y, Cheng H, Wang L, Zhou R, Yao Z, Guo X. Ectodermal Wnt signaling regulates abdominal myogenesis during ventral body wall development. Dev Biol 2014; 387:64-72. [PMID: 24394376 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2013.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2013] [Revised: 12/11/2013] [Accepted: 12/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Defects of the ventral body wall are prevalent birth anomalies marked by deficiencies in body wall closure, hypoplasia of the abdominal musculature and multiple malformations across a gamut of organs. However, the mechanisms underlying ventral body wall defects remain elusive. Here, we investigated the role of Wnt signaling in ventral body wall development by inactivating Wls or β-catenin in murine abdominal ectoderm. The loss of Wls in the ventral epithelium, which blocks the secretion of Wnt proteins, resulted in dysgenesis of ventral musculature and genito-urinary tract during embryonic development. Molecular analyses revealed that the dermis and myogenic differentiation in the underlying mesenchymal progenitor cells was perturbed by the loss of ectodermal Wls. The activity of the Wnt-Pitx2 axis was impaired in the ventral mesenchyme of the mutant body wall, which partially accounted for the defects in ventral musculature formation. In contrast, epithelial depletion of β-catenin or Wnt5a did not resemble the body wall defects in the ectodermal Wls mutant. These findings indicate that ectodermal Wnt signaling instructs the underlying mesodermal specification and abdominal musculature formation during ventral body wall development, adding evidence to the theory that ectoderm-mesenchyme signaling is a potential unifying mechanism for the origin of ventral body wall defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Zhang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Hanjun Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jian Yu
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jingjing Cao
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Huihui Chen
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Haixia Zhao
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jianzhi Zhao
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yiyun Yao
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Huihui Cheng
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Lifang Wang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Rujiang Zhou
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhengju Yao
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xizhi Guo
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
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Abstract
Establishment of the functional pulmonary vasculature requires intimate interaction between the epithelium and mesenchyme. Previous genetic studies have led to inconsistent conclusions about the contribution of epithelial Wnts to pulmonary vasculature development. This discrepancy is possibly due to the functional redundancy among different Wnts. Here, we use Shh-Cre to conditionally delete Gpr177 (the mouse ortholog of Drosophila Wntless, Wls), a chaperon protein important for the sorting and secretion of Wnt proteins. Deletion of epithelial Gpr177 reduces Wnt signaling activity in both the epithelium and mesenchyme, resulting in severe hemorrhage and abnormal vasculature, accompanied by branching defects and abnormal epithelial differentiation. We then used multiple mouse models to demonstrate that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is not only required for the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchyme, but also is important for the maintenance of smooth muscle cells through the regulation of the transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 2 (Klf2). Together, our studies define a novel mechanism by which epithelial Wnts regulate the normal development and maintenance of pulmonary vasculature. These findings provide insight into the pathobiology of congenital lung diseases, such as alveolar capillary dysplasia (ACD), that have abnormal alveolar development and dysmorphic pulmonary vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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