Wnt/beta-catenin 通路在成骨细胞中的作用

Wnt信号通路包括经典通路和非经典通路两种,其中Wnt经典通路又称为Wnt/β-catenin通路,其在成骨细胞的分化、增殖过程中发挥这重要的作用。Wnt信号通路实现过程中有多种因子参与,包括Wnt蛋白、β-catenin、蛋白激酶GSK-3β以及APC蛋白等多种。Wnt蛋白家族是由19种Wnt蛋白组成的,主要分为经典Wnt蛋白和非经典Wnt蛋白,其本质是一系列高度保守的分泌性糖蛋白,并且不同的Wnt蛋白对成骨细胞发挥着不同的作用,其中经典Wnt蛋白通过经典Wnt信号作用于成骨细胞对成骨细胞的增殖、分化有着重要的影响。本综述通过对Wnt经典信号通路过程中的多种因子与成骨细胞分化、增殖的关系进行分析总结,了解Wnt/β-catenin通路对成骨细胞的作用。     

Wnt/β-catenin通路在成骨细胞中的作用

Wnt信号通路包括经典通路和非经典通路两种,其中Wnt经典通路又称为Wnt/β-catenin通路,其在成骨细胞的分化、增殖过程中发挥这重要的作用。Wnt信号通路实现过程中有多种因子参与,包括Wnt蛋白、β-catenin、蛋白激酶GSK-3β以及APC蛋白等多种。Wnt蛋白家族是由19种Wnt蛋白组成的,主要分为经典Wnt蛋白和非经典Wnt蛋白,其本质是一系列高度保守的分泌性糖蛋白,并且不同的Wnt蛋白对成骨细胞发挥着不同的作用,其中经典Wnt蛋白通过经典Wnt信号作用于成骨细胞对成骨细胞的增殖、分化有着重要的影响。本综述通过对Wnt经典信号通路过程中的多种因子与成骨细胞分化、增殖的关系进行分析总结,了解Wnt/β-catenin通路对成骨细胞的作用。     

R-spondin：一个新的Wnt信号通路相关蛋白家族的研究进展

R-spondin（Rspo）是近年来新发现的蛋白家族,包括4个成员（Rspo1～4）。已报道Rspo蛋白家族所有成员均为分泌性蛋白,均有两个富含半胱氨酸的furin-like结构域、1个TSP1结构域和富含碱性氨基酸的C端区域。Rspos通过激活并协同Wnt/β-catenin信号通路参与对细胞增殖和分化的调控,影响骨骼、肌肉、血管等组织的发育以及肢体和性腺的形成,并在多种疾病的发生过程中起重要作用。该文结合最新研究进展,就Rspo家族蛋白的结构、主要功能及其对经典Wnt信号通路的调控机理做一综述。     

Wnt信号转导通路与神经发育研究进展

Wnt蛋白是一类分泌型糖蛋白家族,Wnt信号蛋白与细胞表面的多种受体相互作用,参与诸多生命过程。对神经系统发育的研究表明,Wnt信号通路在神经发生,神经祖细胞增值、分化,神经干细胞的自我更新,轴突导向等过程中起重要调控作用。多项研究已经证实,Wnt通路失调与诸多神经系统疾病有密切关系。Wnt信号通路的突变或异常,将会引起神经系统发育缺陷。然而,对Wnt非经典信号通路的研究,尤其是新受体Ryk的调控作用的认识迄今仍不全面。根据国内外相关研究,阐述了经典Wnt信号通路Wnt/β-catenin途径的同时也对Wnt/Ryk非经典信号途径这一研究新领域做了讨论。在非经典信号通路中,Ryk-ICD的剪接对于前体细胞的神经分化起重要作用。本文分析了Wnt/β-catenin和Wnt/Ryk信号通路在神经发育中的作用,有助于深入理解神经发育过程中Wnt信号通路的作用机制。然而,Ryk-ICD引导因子、分子机制等问题仍待进一步研究,而这将有利于理解神经干细胞分化机理。     

Wnt信号通路在视网膜色素上皮发育中的作用

Wnt（wingless-type MMTV integration site family members）信号通路与细胞的发育分化密切相关,尤其对动物胚胎期中枢神经系统的发育至关重要。在眼的早期发育中,视泡背部视网膜色素上皮细胞（RPE）Wnt/βcatenin信号通路高度活跃,对神经视网膜及RPE的发育调控起重要作用。本文结合目前该领域研究进展,综合评述Wnt信号通路、Wnt蛋白家族以及Wnt信号通路与RPE发育的关系。     

Wnt信号通路在造血干细胞自我更新和扩增中的作用

Wnt信号分子是一类在无脊椎与脊椎动物的多种组织中广泛表达且进化上高度保守的信号刺激因子,由于它们在生长、发育、代谢和干细胞调节等多种生物学过程中的重要生物学功能而被广泛重视。根据其激活的信号通路不同,Wnt分子可分为经典和非经典两类。经典类和非经典类Wnt分子分别通过激活β-catenin、Ca2+及JNK信号通路而发挥作用。近年来的研究显示,经典和非经典Wnt信号通路均在造血干细胞的自我更新和功能维持的调控中发挥关键作用。该文通过对经典和非经典Wnt信号通路的分子调控机理的探讨,对近年来有关Wnt信号通路在HSC自我更新调控中的研究进展进行了综述,对Wnt信号通路与造血微环境中其他信号通路在造血发生、维持和重建中的关系进行了讨论。     

Wnt信号通路在骨骼肌损伤修复过程中的作用及机制研究CSCD

Wnt信号通路分为经典Wnt信号通路和非经典Wnt信号通路,而非经典Wnt信号通路又可分为Wnt/Ca^(2+)信号通路、Wnt/PCP信号通路和Wnt/PI3K信号通路。经典Wnt信号通路的恰当激活可有效抑制Notch信号通路,促进成肌分化和肌管融合。但经典Wnt信号通路过早或持续性激活,可通过调节多种细胞因子的表达,加重损伤骨骼肌纤维化,损害骨骼肌再生。而Wnt7a通过多条非经典Wnt信号通路刺激肌卫星细胞扩增、迁移,促进骨骼肌损伤修复,并能激活Akt/mTOR信号通路而诱导肌纤维肥大。     

经典Wnt信号通路与非小细胞肺癌潜在治疗靶点的研究新进展

经典Wnt信号通路在人类非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)的发病和病程进展中具有重要的调控作用,它与肿瘤组织的增殖、生长、代谢、侵袭和转移有着紧密联系。在NSCLC发生发展中,经典Wnt信号通路的相关蛋白表达发生较复杂的改变,并影响疾病预后,因此,研究这些相关蛋白的表达情况有助于明确NSCLC发病机制以及研究潜在治疗方法。现对经典Wnt通路中NSCLC相关蛋白表达情况和作用以及潜在治疗靶点进行了归纳。     

Wnt信号通路在骨骼肌损伤修复过程中的作用及机制研究

Wnt信号通路分为经典Wnt信号通路和非经典Wnt信号通路,而非经典Wnt信号通路又可分为Wnt/Ca~(2+)信号通路、Wnt/PCP信号通路和Wnt/PI3K信号通路。经典Wnt信号通路的恰当激活可有效抑制Notch信号通路,促进成肌分化和肌管融合。但经典Wnt信号通路过早或持续性激活,可通过调节多种细胞因子的表达,加重损伤骨骼肌纤维化,损害骨骼肌再生。而Wnt7a通过多条非经典Wnt信号通路刺激肌卫星细胞扩增、迁移,促进骨骼肌损伤修复,并能激活Akt/mTOR信号通路而诱导肌纤维肥大。     

NMDA受体激活引起的突触活动对Wnt非经典通路的影响

目的探讨NMDA受体激活引起的突触活动诱导Wnt非经典通路的活化。方法构建C57BL/6J胎鼠大脑皮层神经元原代培养体系,用NMDA处理神经元细胞,并结合Western blotting、双免疫荧光染色等技术,检测神经元细胞内Wnt非经典通路的相关蛋白的变化。结果免疫荧光染色显示成功建立了C57BL/6J胎鼠大脑皮层神经元体外培养体系,原代神经元细胞在体外培养10d生长良好,且纯度达90%;体外培养的神经元细胞内存在Wnt5a神经递质,经NMDA的刺激,发现Wnt非经典通路的两个标志性蛋白CaMKII和JNK的磷酸化水平显著增加,且Wnt非经典通路的一种受体Frizzled-5的蛋白表达水平也显著增加。进一步的研究显示,用NMDA竞争性抑制剂DAP5能够阻断NMDA引起的CaMKII和JNK蛋白的磷酸化水平的提高。结论 NMDA受体的激活会诱导Wnt非经典通路的活化。     

Wnt signaling activation and WIF-1 silencing in nasopharyngeal cancer cell lines

Aberrant activation of Wingless-type (Wnt) signaling pathway plays a critical role in oncogenesis of various human cancers. Wnt inhibitory factor-1 (WIF-1) is a secreted antagonist of Wnt signaling and acts through direct binding to Wnt in the extracellular space. Recently, we reported Wnt signaling in various human malignancies. In addition, we identified in lung cancer that WIF-1 is silenced due to promoter hypermethylation. In this study, we found constitutive activation of Wnt signaling and WIF-1 silencing in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines. Furthermore, by utilizing methylation-specific PCR and sequence analysis, we demonstrated that frequent hypermethylation of the WIF-1 promoter correlates with WIF-1 silencing in NPC cell lines. Our results indicate that aberrant Wnt signaling is a common event in NPC carcinogenesis linked with WIF-1 silencing in at least cell lines. Strategies targeting these molecules should be potentially promising in treating NPC.     

Decreased Serum Wnt Antagonist Levels in Patients With Active Acromegaly

ObjectiveThe Wnt signaling pathway is an important modulator of bone metabolism. This study aims to clarify the changes in Wnt antagonists in active and biochemically controlled acromegalic patients.MethodsWe recruited 77 patients recently diagnosed with acromegaly. Of those, 41 patients with complete follow-up data were included. Thirty healthy patients matched for age, sex, and body mass index served as controls. At baseline and posttreatment, Wnt antagonists (sclerostin [SOST], dickkopf-related protein 1 [DKK-1], and Wnt inhibitory factor 1 [WIF-1]), bone turnover markers (osteocalcin, procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide [P1NP], and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen [CTX]) and the bone remodeling index were investigated.ResultsAcromegalic patients had higher serum osteocalcin, P1NP, and CTX and a higher bone remodeling index than controls (P < .01). Serum SOST, DKK-1, and WIF-1 levels were significantly decreased in patients compared to controls (all P < .01). Serum SOST and WIF-1 levels were negatively correlated with growth hormone levels; SOST levels were positively correlated with WIF-1. After treatment, serum bone turnover markers and the bone remodeling index decreased, while SOST and WIF-1 significantly increased (P < .05). DKK-1 levels did not change compared to baseline (P > .05). In biochemically controlled patients, SOST and WIF-1 levels and bone turnover markers were restored and did not differ from those of the control participants (all P > .05).ConclusionPatients with active acromegaly exhibited significantly decreased Wnt antagonist levels. The reduction in Wnt antagonists is a compensatory mechanism to counteract increased bone fragility in active acromegaly.     

Wnt inhibitory factor-1, a Wnt antagonist, is silenced by promoter hypermethylation in malignant pleural mesothelioma

Wnt inhibitory factor-1 (WIF-1) is a secreted protein that antagonizes Wnt signaling. We recently demonstrated the importance of aberrant activation of the Wnt signaling pathway in various cancers including malignant pleural mesothelioma. In this study, we revealed downregulated WIF-1 expression in cell lines and primary tissue when compared to normal mesothelial cell lines and adjacent pleura, respectively. We observed hypermethylation in four of four mesothelioma cell lines, but not in two normal mesothelial cell lines. In primary tissue samples, we observed methylation in three paired tumor specimens compared to their adjacent normal pleura and methylation in eight of nine unpaired tumor tissue samples. Taken together, our studies suggest that WIF-1 silencing due to its promoter hypermethylation is an important mechanism underlying the constitutively activated Wnt signaling in mesothelioma. New therapies toward inhibition of the Wnt pathway through WIF-1 might be promising for the future treatment of malignant mesothelioma.     

The complex role of Wnt ligands in type 2 diabetes mellitus and related complications

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the major chronic diseases, whose prevalence is increasing dramatically worldwide and can lead to a range of serious complications. Wnt ligands (Wnts) and their activating Wnt signalling pathways are closely involved in the regulation of various processes that are important for the occurrence and progression of T2DM and related complications. However, our understanding of their roles in these diseases is quite rudimentary due to the numerous family members of Wnts and conflicting effects via activating the canonical and/or non-canonical Wnt signalling pathways. In this review, we summarize the current findings on the expression pattern and exact role of each human Wnt in T2DM and related complications, including Wnt1, Wnt2, Wnt2b, Wnt3, Wnt3a, Wnt4, Wnt5a, Wnt5b, Wnt6, Wnt7a, Wnt7b, Wnt8a, Wnt8b, Wnt9a, Wnt9b, Wnt10a, Wnt10b, Wnt11 and Wnt16. Moreover, the role of main antagonists (sFRPs and WIF-1) and coreceptor (LRP6) of Wnts in T2DM and related complications and main challenges in designing Wnt-based therapeutic approaches for these diseases are discussed. We hope a deep understanding of the mechanistic links between Wnt signalling pathways and diabetic-related diseases will ultimately result in a better management of these diseases.     

WIF-1心脏特异表达转基因小鼠心脏功能分析

目的建立心脏特异表达WIF-1转基因小鼠,研究该基因在心脏中表达对小鼠心脏发育,形态和功能维持中的作用。方法RT-PCR法克隆人WIF-1基因,把WIF-1基因插入α-MHC启动子下游,构建转基因表达载体,通过显微注射法建立转WIF-1C57BL/6J小鼠。并利用特异引物PCR法鉴定转基因小鼠的基因表型,RT-PCR和Westernblot检测基因表达水平,超声检测不同月龄WIF-1转基因小鼠心脏结构及功能变化。结果建立了2个系的心脏特异表达WIF-1转基因小鼠。心脏超声检查证实,WIF-1转基因小鼠与对照小鼠比较,左心室重量减小,舒张期左室内径和容积变小,每搏输出量和心输出量减小。结论WIF-1基因是心脏功能的负调控因子。     

Secreted Wnt antagonists in scrub typhus

BackgroundThe mechanisms that control local and systemic inflammation in scrub typhus have only been partially elucidated. The wingless (Wnt) signaling pathways are emerging as important regulators of inflammation and infection, but have not been investigated in scrub typhus.Methodology/Principal findingsPlasma levels of secreted Wnt antagonists (i.e. DKK-1, sFRP-3, WIF-1 and SOST) were analyzed in patients with scrub typhus (n = 129), patients with similar febrile illness without O. tsutsugamushi infection (n = 31), febrile infectious disease controls, and in healthy controls (n = 31) from the same area of South India, and were correlated to markers of inflammation, immune and endothelial cell activation as well as for their association with organ specific dysfunction and mortality in these patients. We found i) Levels of SOST and in particular sFRP-3 and WIF-1 were markedly increased and DKK-1 decreased in scrub typhus patients at admission to the hospital compared to healthy controls. ii) In recovering scrub typhus patients, SOST, sFRP-3 and WIF-1 decreased and DKK-1 increased. iii) SOST was positively correlated with markers of monocyte/macrophage and endothelial/vascular activation as well as with renal dysfunction and poor outcome iv) Finally, regulation of Wnt pathways by O. tsutsugamushi in vitro in monocytes and ex vivo in mononuclear cells isolated from patients with scrub typhus, as evaluated by gene expression studies available in public repositories, revealed markedly attenuated canonical Wnt signaling.Conclusions/SignificanceOur findings suggest that scrub typhus is characterized by attenuated Wnt signaling possibly involving dysregulated levels of several secreted pathway antagonists. The secreted Wnt antagonist SOST was strongly associated with renal dysfunction and poor prognosis in these patients.     

WIF-1在鼻咽未分化癌中表达的研究

目的 分析WIF-1在鼻咽慢性炎性组织、鼻咽癌中表达的特点,探寻其在鼻咽未分化癌中表达与相关临床资料的关系,以及在鼻咽癌发病机制中的作用.方法 应用免疫组化技术SP法检测65例鼻咽未分化癌鼻咽癌标本、20例鼻咽部慢性炎症中WIF-1的蛋白水平.结果 ① WIF-1在正常鼻咽上皮细胞中存在表达,在鼻咽假复层纤毛柱状上皮的纤毛柱状上皮细胞中呈强阳性表达.其表达呈周期性.② 鼻咽癌标本表达的平均百分数为（31.0±8.0）%,与非癌上皮组织中WIF-1在柱状细胞中全部呈强阳性相比,有显著差异.WIF-1在部分淋巴细胞中表达阳性.在鼻咽癌和淋巴细胞中表达两者无相关性.③ WIF-1在鼻咽未分化癌细胞中的表达与患者的年龄、性别、原发灶大小（T分期）、淋巴转移、远处转移均无关系.结论 WIF-1在正常鼻咽上皮细胞中呈阳性表达;WIF-1在鼻咽未分化癌细胞中出现表达缺少和（或）下调;WIF-1表达缺少和（或）下调的出现可能是鼻咽未分化癌发生的早期事件,WIF-1表达异常可能在鼻咽未分化癌的发病机制中发挥一定作用.     

A novel activity of the Dickkopf-1 amino terminal domain promotes axial and heart development independently of canonical Wnt inhibition

The secreted Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1) protein mediates numerous cell fate decisions and morphogenetic processes. Its carboxyl terminal cysteine-rich region (termed C1) binds LRP5/6 and inhibits canonical Wnt signaling. Paradoxically, the isolated C1 domain of Dkk1 as well as Wnt antagonists that act by sequestering Wnts, such as Frz-B, WIF-1 and Crescent, are poor mimics of the inductive and patterning activities of Dkk1 critical for heart and axial development. To understand the basis for the unique properties of Dkk1, we investigated the function of its amino terminal cysteine-rich region (N1). N1 does not bind LRP or Kremen nor inhibit Wnt signaling and has had no known function. We show that it can synergize with BMP antagonism to induce prechordal and axial mesoderm when expressed as an independent protein in Xenopus embryos. Moreover, we show that it can function in trans to complement the activity of C1 protein to mediate two embryologic functions of Dkk1: induction of chordal and prechordal mesoderm and specification of heart tissue from non-cardiogenic mesoderm. Remarkably, N1 also synergizes with WIF-1 and Crescent, indicating that N1 signals independently of C1 and its interactions with LRP. Since cleavage of Dkk1 is not detected, these results define N1 as a novel signaling domain within the intact protein that is responsible for the potent effects of Dkk1 on the induction and patterning of the body axis and heart. We conclude that this new activity is also likely to synergize with canonical Wnt inhibitory in the numerous developmental and disease processes that involve Dkk1.     

The Wnt pathway and the roles for its antagonists, DKKS, in angiogenesis

The Wnt signaling pathway is involved in a wide range of developmental and physiological processes, such as cell fate specification, tissue morphogenesis, and homeostasis. Thus, its dysregulation has been found in multiple diseases, including some cardiovascular disorders. The loss or gain of function of Wnt pathway components results in abnormal vascular development and angiogenesis. Further study has revealed that Wnt signaling in endothelial cells appears to contribute to vascular morphogenesis and endothelial cell specification. Owing to the significance of Wnt signaling in angiogenesis, Wnt antagonists have been considered potential treatments for neovascular disorders. In line with this, members of the Dkk protein family (Dkks), well-known Wnt antagonists, have been recently found to regulate angiogenesis. This review summarizes our present knowledge of the roles of Wnt signaling and Wnt antagonists, particularly Dkks, in angiogenic regulation and explores the therapeutic potential of Wnt antagonists. ? 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 64(9): 724-731, 2012.     

Head inducer Dickkopf-1 is a ligand for Wnt coreceptor LRP6.

BACKGROUND: Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) is a head inducer secreted from the vertebrate head organizer and induces anterior development by antagonizing Wnt signaling. Although several families of secreted antagonists have been shown to inhibit Wnt signal transduction by binding to Wnt, the molecular mechanism of Dkk-1 action is unknown. The Wnt family of secreted growth factors initiates signaling via the Frizzled (Fz) receptor and its candidate coreceptor, LDL receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6), presumably through Fz-LRP6 complex formation induced by Wnt. The significance of the Fz-LRP6 complex in signal transduction remains to be established. RESULTS: We report that Dkk-1 is a high-affinity ligand for LRP6 and inhibits Wnt signaling by preventing Fz-LRP6 complex formation induced by Wnt. Dkk-1 binds neither Wnt nor Fz, nor does it affect Wnt-Fz interaction. Dkk-1 function in head induction and Wnt signaling inhibition strictly correlates with its ability to bind LRP6 and to disrupt the Fz-LRP6 association. LRP6 function and Dkk-1 inhibition appear to be specific for the Wnt/Fz beta-catenin pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that Dkk-1 is an LRP6 ligand and inhibits Wnt signaling by blocking Wnt-induced Fz-LRP6 complex formation. Our findings thus reveal a novel mechanism for Wnt signal modulation. LRP6 is a Wnt coreceptor that appears to specify Wnt/Fz signaling to the beta-catenin pathway, and Dkk-1, distinct from Wnt binding antagonists, may be a specific inhibitor for Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. Our findings suggest that Wnt-Fz-LRP6 complex formation, but not Wnt-Fz interaction, triggers Wnt/beta-catenin signaling.