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. 2017 Mar 1;312(3):G219-G227.
doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00160.2016. Epub 2017 Jan 5.

WNT-5A regulates TGF-β-related activities in liver fibrosis

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Free article

WNT-5A regulates TGF-β-related activities in liver fibrosis

Leonie Beljaars et al. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. .
Free article

Abstract

WNT-5A is a secreted growth factor that belongs to the noncanonical members of the Wingless-related MMTV-integration family. Previous studies pointed to a connection between WNT-5A and the fibrogenic factor TGF-β warranting further studies into the functional role of WNT-5A in liver fibrosis. Therefore, we studied WNT-5A expressions in mouse and human fibrotic livers and examined the relation between WNT-5A and various fibrosis-associated growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix proteins. WNT-5A gene and protein expressions were significantly increased in fibrotic mouse and human livers compared with healthy livers. Regression or therapeutic intervention in mice resulted in decreased hepatic WNT-5A levels paralleled by lower collagen levels. Immunohistochemical analysis showed WNT-5A staining in fibrotic septa colocalizing with desmin staining indicating WNT-5A expression in myofibroblasts. In vitro studies confirmed WNT-5A expression in this cell type and showed that TGF-β significantly enhanced WNT-5A expression in contrast to PDGF-BB and proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α. Additionally, TGF-β induces the expression of the WNT receptors FZD2 and FZD8. After silencing of WNT-5A, reduced levels of collagen type I, vimentin, and fibronectin in TGF-β-stimulated myofibroblasts were measured compared with nonsilencing siRNA-treated controls. Interestingly, the antifibrotic cytokine IFNγ suppressed WNT-5A in vitro and in vivo. IFNγ-treated fibrotic mice showed significantly less WNT-5A expression compared with untreated fibrotic mice. In conclusion, WNT-5A paralleled collagen I levels in fibrotic mouse and human livers. WNT-5A expression in myofibroblasts is induced by the profibrotic factor TGF-β and plays an important role in TGF-β-induced regulation of fibrotic matrix proteins, whereas its expression can be reversed upon treatment, both in vitro and in vivo.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study describes the localization and functional role of WNT-5A in human and mouse fibrotic livers. Hepatic WNT-5A expression parallels collagen type I expression. In vivo and in vitro, the myofibroblasts were identified as the key hepatic cells producing WNT-5A. WNT-5A is under control of TGF-β and its activities are primarily profibrotic.

Keywords: WNT; fibrosis; interferon γ; remodeling; transforming growth factor-β.

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