Wnt5a regulates Shh and Fgf10 signaling during lung development

The role of WNT signaling and its interactions with other morphogenetic pathways were investigated during lung development. Previously, we showed that targeted disruption of Wnt5a results in over-branching of the epithelium and thickening of the interstitium in embryonic lungs. In this study, we generated and characterized transgenic mice with lung-specific over-expression of Wnt5a from the SpC promoter. Over-expression of Wnt5a interfered with normal epithelial-mesenchymal interactions resulting in reduced epithelial branching and dilated distal airways. During early lung development, over-expression of Wnt5a in the epithelium resulted in increased Fgf10 in the mesenchyme and decreased Shh in the epithelium. Both levels and distribution of SHH receptor, Ptc were reduced in SpC-Wnt5a transgenic lungs and were reciprocally correlated to changes of Fgf10 in the mesenchyme, suggesting that SHH signaling is decreased by over-expression of Wnt5a. Cultured mesenchyme-free epithelial explants from SpC-Wnt5a transgenic lungs responded abnormally to recombinant FGF10 supplied uniformly in the Matrigel with dilated branch tips that mimic the in vivo phenotype. In contrast, chemotaxis of transgenic epithelial explants towards a directional FGF10 source was inhibited. These suggest that over-expression of Wnt5a disrupts epithelial-response to FGF10. In conclusion, Wnt5a regulates SHH and FGF10 signaling during lung development.     

Canonical Wnt signaling negatively regulates branching morphogenesis of the lung and lacrimal gland

Key gene families such as FGFs and BMPs are important mediators of branching morphogenesis. To understand whether Wnt genes, and in particular, the canonical Wnt signaling pathway also function in the branching process, we have used a combination of experimental and genetic gain and loss of function approaches to perturb the levels of canonical Wnt signaling in two arborized structures, the lung and the lacrimal gland. Here, we show that the addition of Wnt3a conditioned medium or LiCl strongly represses growth and proliferation of the lung and lacrimal gland, a result that was confirmed in vivo using a dominant stable mutation of beta-catenin conditionally expressed in the lacrimal gland epithelium. In agreement with these data, knockdown of Wnt signaling with beta-catenin morpholinos results in a greater number of branches and increased cell proliferation. In addition, we show that canonical Wnt signaling is able to modulate the levels of Fgf10 and suppress BMP-induced proliferation in the lacrimal gland. Thus, canonical Wnt signaling negatively regulates branching morphogenesis providing a balance to FGFs and BMPs which positively regulate this process. This multilayered control of growth and proliferation ensures that branched structures attain the morphology required to function efficiently.     

GRB10 binds to LRP6, the Wnt co-receptor and inhibits canonical Wnt signaling pathway

During adipocyte differentiation, the cells experience dramatic alterations in morphology, motility and cell-ECM contact. Focal adhesion kinase (pp125FAK), a widely expressed non-receptor tyrosine kinase in integrin signaling, has been reported to participate in these events in various cells. Utilizing 3T3-L1 cells and primary rat preadipocytes, we explored the role of FAK in adipocyte differentiation. Gradual cleavage of FAK was demonstrated during adipcoyte differentiation, both in vitro and in vivo. This cleavage of FAK was mediated by calpain. Inhibition of calpain activity resulted in the rescue of FAK degradation, accompanied with the disturbance of final maturation of adipocyte. Our study revealed that FAK participated in adipocyte differentiation, and its cleavage by calpain was required to fulfill the final maturation of adipocytes.     

Sequence and structural difference favors a distinct preference of Wnt3a binding with co-receptor LRP6

Wnt signaling pathway plays a key role in a wide array of development and physiological processes. Wnt proteins interact with two different co-receptors LRP5/6 and ROR 2, leading to different signal transductions in the cell. Though the Wnt family of proteins has high sequence similarity the specificity for particular co-receptor is not well understood. The choice of pathway is attributed to the binding of Wnt complex to the co-receptor. Our current study is a novel approach using homology modeling, docking, and structural alignment to unravel the structural differences between Wnt3a and Wnt5b binding to LRP6. The conservation of a protruding loop has been identified in Wnt3a protein indicating an enhanced ability of Wnt3a to bind to LRP5/6 against its counter parts. The docking studies have further substantiated the findings. This could potentially help us design and develop novel inhibitors targeting Wnt3a-LRP6 complex in specific tissues or disease states.     

Non-canonical Wnt signaling through Wnt5a/b and a novel Wnt11 gene, Wnt11b, regulates cell migration during avian gastrulation

Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms regulating cell ingression, epithelial–mesenchymal transition and migration movements during amniote gastrulation is steadily improving. In the frog and fish embryo, Wnt5 and Wnt11 ligands are expressed around the blastopore and play an important role in regulating cell movements associated with gastrulation. In the chicken embryo, although Wnt5a and Wnt5b are expressed in the primitive streak, the known Wnt11 gene is expressed in paraxial and intermediate mesoderm, and in differentiated myocardial cells, but not in the streak. Here, we identify a previously uncharacterized chicken Wnt11 gene, Wnt11b, that is orthologous to the frog Wnt11 and zebrafish Wnt11 (silberblick) genes. Chicken Wnt11b is expressed in the primitive streak in a pattern similar to chicken Wnt5a and Wnt5b. When non-canonical Wnt signaling is blocked using a Dishevelled dominant-negative protein, gastrulation movements are inhibited and cells accumulate in the primitive streak. Furthermore, disruption of non-canonical Wnt signaling by overexpression of full-length or dominant-negative Wnt11b or Wnt5a constructions abrogates normal cell migration through the primitive streak. We conclude that non-canonical Wnt signaling, mediated in part by Wnt11b, is important for regulation of gastrulation cell movements in the avian embryo.     

Effects of Wnt3a on proliferation and differentiation of human epidermal stem cells

Epidermal stem cells maintain development and homeostasis of mammalian epidermis throughout life. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the proliferation and differentiation of epidermal stem cells are far from clear. In this study, we investigated the effects of Wnt3a and Wnt/β-catenin signaling on proliferation and differentiation of human fetal epidermal stem cells. We found both Wnt3a and active β-catenin, two key members of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, were expressed in human fetal epidermis and epidermal stem cells. In addition, Wnt3a protein can promote proliferation and inhibit differentiation of epidermal stem cells in vitro culture. Our results suggest that Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays important roles in human fetal skin development and homeostasis, which also provide new insights on the molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis in human epidermis.     

Wnt5a regulates distinct signalling pathways by binding to Frizzled2

Wnt5a regulates multiple intracellular signalling cascades, but how Wnt5a determines the specificity of these pathways is not well understood. This study examined whether the internalization of Wnt receptors affects the ability of Wnt5a to regulate its signalling pathways. Wnt5a activated Rac in the β‐catenin‐independent pathway, and Frizzled2 (Fz2) and Ror1 or Ror2 were required for this action. Fz2 was internalized through a clathrin‐mediated route in response to Wnt5a, and inhibition of clathrin‐dependent internalization suppressed the ability of Wnt5a to activate Rac. As another action of Wnt5a, it inhibited Wnt3a‐dependent lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 6 (LRP6) phosphorylation and β‐catenin accumulation. Wnt3a‐dependent phosphorylation of LRP6 was enhanced in Wnt5a knockout embryonic fibroblasts. Fz2 was also required for the Wnt3a‐dependent accumulation of β‐catenin, and Wnt5a competed with Wnt3a for binding to Fz2 in vitro and in intact cells, thereby inhibiting the β‐catenin pathway. This inhibitory action of Wnt5a was not affected by the impairment of clathrin‐dependent internalization. These results suggest that Wnt5a regulates distinct pathways through receptor internalization‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms.     

Mutant DLX 3 disrupts odontoblast polarization and dentin formation

Tricho-dento-osseous (TDO) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by abnormalities in the thickness and density of bones and teeth. A 4-bp deletion mutation in the Distal-Less 3 (DLX3) gene is etiologic for most cases of TDO. To investigate the in vivo role of mutant DLX3 (MT-DLX3) on dentin development, we generated transgenic (TG) mice expressing MT-DLX3 driven by a mouse 2.3 Col1A1 promoter. Dentin defects were radiographically evident in all teeth and the size of the nonmineralized pulp was enlarged in TG mice, consistent with clinical characteristics in patients with TDO. High-resolution radiography, microcomputed tomography, and SEM revealed a reduced zone of mineralized dentin with anomalies in the number and organization of dentinal tubules in MT-DLX3 TG mice. Histological and immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that the decreased dentin was accompanied by altered odontoblast cytology that included disruption of odontoblast polarization and reduced numbers of odontoblasts. TUNEL assays indicated enhanced odontoblast apoptosis. Expression levels of the apoptotic marker caspase-3 were increased in odontoblasts in TG mice as well as in odontoblastic-like MDPC-23 cells transfected with MT-DLX3 cDNA. Expression of Runx2, Wnt 10A, and TBC1D19 colocalized with DLX3 expression in odontoblasts, and MT-DLX3 significantly reduced expression of all three genes. TBC1D19 functions in cell polarity and decreased TBC1D19 expression may contribute to the observed disruption of odontoblast polarity and apoptosis. These data indicate that MT-DLX3 acts to disrupt odontoblast cytodifferentiation leading to odontoblast apoptosis, and aberrations of dentin tubule formation and dentin matrix production, resulting in decreased dentin and taurodontism.In summary, this TG model demonstrates that MT-DLX3 has differential effects on matrix production and mineralization in dentin and bone and provides a novel tool for the investigation of odontoblast biology.     

Wnt5a与动脉粥样硬化的研究进展

Wnt5a是一种分泌型糖蛋白,参与生物体多种生命活动。研究显示wnt5a在apoE敲除小鼠的主动脉弓内膜处巨噬细胞聚集区域成强阳性,并且Wnt5a在人动脉粥样硬化斑块处高表达,提示Wnt5a在动脉粥样硬化发病过程中的重要作用。Wnt5a通过参与炎症反应、介导脂质转运以及脂质代谢等多个方面影响了动脉粥样硬化(As)的发生和发展。本文就近年有关Wnt5a与As关系研究的相关进展。     

Forced activation of Wnt signaling alters morphogenesis and sensory organ identity in the chicken inner ear

Components of the Wnt signaling pathway are expressed in the developing inner ear. To explore their role in ear patterning, we used retroviral gene transfer to force the expression of an activated form of beta-catenin that should constitutively activate targets of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. At embryonic day 9 (E9) and beyond, morphological defects were apparent in the otic capsule and the membranous labyrinth, including ectopic and fused sensory patches. Most notably, the basilar papilla, an auditory organ, contained infected sensory patches with a vestibular phenotype. Vestibular identity was based on: (1) stereociliary bundle morphology; (2) spacing of hair cells and supporting cells; (3) the presence of otoliths; (4) immunolabeling indicative of vestibular supporting cells; and (5) expression of Msx1, a marker of certain vestibular sensory organs. Retrovirus-mediated misexpression of Wnt3a also gave rise to ectopic vestibular patches in the cochlear duct. In situ hybridization revealed that genes for three Frizzled receptors, c-Fz1, c-Fz7, and c-Fz10, are expressed in and adjacent to sensory primordia, while Wnt4 is expressed in adjacent, nonsensory regions of the cochlear duct. We hypothesize that Wnt/beta-catenin signaling specifies otic epithelium as macular and helps to define and maintain sensory/nonsensory boundaries in the cochlear duct.     

Wnt5a participates in distal lung morphogenesis

Operational parallels in overall mechanisms of three-dimensional patterning of vertebrate organs are becoming increasingly apparent. Many key mediators, such as FGFs, BMPs, and sonic hedgehog, participate in organization of a number of organs, including the lungs, which exhibit a defined proximodistal (P-D) polarity. Recently, Wnt5a a member of the wingless family of signaling molecules involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and organogenesis, was shown to underlie the outgrowth and P-D morphogenesis of the vertebrate limb. In the current study, we show that Wnt5a is expressed in the mouse lung and plays an important role in lung distal morphogenesis. Analysis of the mutant phenotype in mice carrying a targeted disruption of the Wnt5a locus shows distinct abnormalities in distal lung morphogenesis as manifested by distinct truncation of the trachea and overexpansion of the distal respiratory airways. In the face of deleted WNT5a activity, both epithelial and mesenchymal cell compartments of the Wnt5a(-/-) lungs exhibit increased cell proliferation. The overall architecture of the mutant lungs is characterized by overexpansion of the distal airways and inhibition of lung maturation as reflected by persistence of thickened intersaccular interstitium. Absence of WNT5a activity in the mutant lungs leads to increased expression of Fgf-10, Bmp4, Shh, and its receptor Ptc, raising the possibility that WNT5a, FGF-10, BMP4, and SHH signaling pathways are functionally interactive.     

Wnt5a在增生性瘢痕中的表达及其临床意义

目的：探讨wnt5a在增生性瘢痕中的表达及其临床意义。方法：选择12例增生性瘢痕患者,术中取成熟期增生性瘢痕6份,增殖期增生性瘢痕6份,正常皮肤组织6份。光镜下观察其形态学的差异,通过免疫组化技术检测和比较其Wnt5a阳性表达的细胞面积率。结果：与正常皮肤相比,增殖期增生性瘢痕中有大量的成纤维细胞,胶原纤维含量丰富,且排列紊乱,其间有大量的炎性细胞,成熟期增生性瘢痕也含有丰富的成纤维细胞和胶原,但炎性细胞很少。增殖期增生性瘢痕和成熟期增生性瘢痕组织中真皮浅层和真皮深层Wnt5a阳性表达的细胞面积率均显著高于正常皮肤组织（P〈0．05）,且增殖期增生性瘢痕组织中wnt5a阳性表达的细胞面积率显著高于成熟期增生性瘢痕（P〈0．05）。但正常皮肤组织、成熟期增生性瘢痕、增殖期增生性瘢痕各组间真皮浅层与真皮深层Wnt5a阳性表达的细胞面积率比较均无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。结论：Wnt5a的表达上调可能在增生性瘢痕的形成中起重要作用,并可能与增生性瘢痕的增殖活性有关。     

Canonical Wnt signaling regulates the proliferative expansion and differentiation of fibrocytes in the murine inner ear

Otic fibrocytes tether the cochlear duct to the surrounding otic capsule but are also critically involved in maintenance of ion homeostasis in the cochlea, thus, perception of sound. The molecular pathways that regulate the development of this heterogenous group of cells from mesenchymal precursors are poorly understood. Here, we identified epithelial Wnt7a and Wnt7b as possible ligands of Fzd-mediated β-catenin (Ctnnb1)-dependent (canonical) Wnt signaling in the adjacent undifferentiated periotic mesenchyme (POM). Mice with a conditional deletion of Ctnnb1 in the POM exhibited a complete failure of fibrocyte differentiation, a severe reduction of mesenchymal cells surrounding the cochlear duct, loss of pericochlear spaces, a thickening and partial loss of the bony capsule and a secondary disturbance of cochlear duct coiling shortly before birth. Analysis at earlier stages revealed that radial patterning of the POM in two domains with highly condensed cartilaginous precursors and more loosely arranged inner mesenchymal cells occurred normally but that proliferation in the inner domain was reduced and cytodifferentiation failed. Cells with mis/overexpression of a stabilized form of Ctnnb1 in the entire POM mesenchyme sorted to the inner mesenchymal compartment and exhibited increased proliferation. Our analysis suggests that Wnt signals from the cochlear duct epithelium are crucial to induce differentiation and expansion of fibrocyte precursor cells. Our findings emphasize the importance of epithelial-mesenchymal signaling in inner ear development.     

Fibroblast growth factor 10 regulates Meckel's cartilage formation during early mandibular morphogenesis in rats

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) are pluripotent growth factors that play pivotal roles in the development of various organs. During mandibular organogenesis, Meckel's cartilage, teeth, and mandibular bone differentiate under the control of various FGF. In the present study, we evaluated the role of FGF10 in rat mandibular chondrogenesis and morphogenesis using mandibular organ culture and mandibular cell micromass culture systems. The overexpression of Fgf10 induced by the electroporation of an FGF10 expression vector not only altered the size and shape of Meckel's cartilage, but also upregulated the expression of the cartilage characteristic genes Col2a1 and Sox9 in a mandibular organ culture system. Meckel's cartilage was deformed, and its size was increased when Fgf10 was overexpressed in the lateral area of the mandible. Meanwhile, no effect was found when Fgf10 was overexpressed in the medial portion. In the mandibular cell micromass culture, recombinant FGF10 treatment enhanced chondrogenic differentiation and endogenous ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) phosphorylation in cells derived from the lateral area of the mandible. On the other hand, FGF10 did not have significant effects on mandibular cell proliferation. These results indicate that FGF10 regulates Meckel's cartilage formation during early mandibular morphogenesis by controlling the cell differentiation in the lateral area of the mandibular process in rats.     

Wnt5a regulates ventral midbrain morphogenesis and the development of A9-A10 dopaminergic cells in vivo

Wnt5a is a morphogen that activates the Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway and serves multiple functions during development. PCP signaling controls the orientation of cells within an epithelial plane as well as convergent extension (CE) movements. Wnt5a was previously reported to promote differentiation of A9-10 dopaminergic (DA) precursors in vitro. However, the signaling mechanism in DA cells and the function of Wnt5a during midbrain development in vivo remains unclear. We hereby report that Wnt5a activated the GTPase Rac1 in DA cells and that Rac1 inhibitors blocked the Wnt5a-induced DA neuron differentiation of ventral midbrain (VM) precursor cultures, linking Wnt5a-induced differentiation with a known effector of Wnt/PCP signaling. In vivo, Wnt5a was expressed throughout the VM at embryonic day (E)9.5, and was restricted to the VM floor and basal plate by E11.5-E13.5. Analysis of Wnt5a-/- mice revealed a transient increase in progenitor proliferation at E11.5, and a precociously induced NR4A2+ (Nurr1) precursor pool at E12.5. The excess NR4A2+ precursors remained undifferentiated until E14.5, when a transient 25% increase in DA neurons was detected. Wnt5a-/- mice also displayed a defect in (mid)brain morphogenesis, including an impairment in midbrain elongation and a rounded ventricular cavity. Interestingly, these alterations affected mostly cells in the DA lineage. The ventral Sonic hedgehog-expressing domain was broadened and flattened, a typical CE phenotype, and the domains occupied by Ngn2+ DA progenitors, NR4A2+ DA precursors and TH+ DA neurons were rostrocaudally reduced and laterally expanded. In summary, we hereby describe a Wnt5a regulation of Wnt/PCP signaling in the DA lineage and provide evidence for multiple functions of Wnt5a in the VM in vivo, including the regulation of VM morphogenesis, DA progenitor cell division, and differentiation of NR4A2+ DA precursors.