The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway regulates the development of airway remodeling in patients with asthma

Exp Mol Med. 2015 Dec 11;47(12):e198. doi: 10.1038/emm.2015.91.

Abstract

Airway remodeling is a key characteristic of chronic asthma, particularly in patients with a fixed airflow limitation. The mechanisms underlying airway remodeling are poorly understood, and no therapeutic option is available. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in various physiological and pathological processes, including fibrosis and smooth muscle hypertrophy. In this study, we investigated the roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in airway remodeling in patients with asthma. Wnt7a mRNA expression was prominent in induced sputum from patients with asthma compared with that from healthy controls. Next, we induced a chronic asthma mouse model with airway remodeling features, including subepithelial fibrosis and airway smooth muscle hyperplasia. Higher expression of Wnt family proteins and β-catenin was detected in the lung tissue of mice with chronic asthma compared to control mice. Blocking β-catenin expression with a specific siRNA attenuated airway inflammation and airway remodeling. Decreased subepithelial fibrosis and collagen accumulation in the β-catenin siRNA-treated mice was accompanied by reduced expression of transforming growth factor-β. We further showed that suppressing β-catenin in the chronic asthma model inhibited smooth muscle hyperplasia by downregulating the tenascin C/platelet-derived growth factor receptor pathway. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is highly expressed and regulates the development of airway remodeling in chronic asthma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Airway Remodeling*
  • Animals
  • Asthma / genetics
  • Asthma / metabolism
  • Asthma / pathology*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Fibrosis
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Wnt Proteins / genetics
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway*
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • WNT7A protein, human
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin