Canonical Wnt signaling promotes macrophage proliferation during kidney fibrosis

Y Feng, Y Liang, J Ren, C Dai - Kidney diseases, 2018 - karger.com
Y Feng, Y Liang, J Ren, C Dai
Kidney diseases, 2018karger.com
Background: Wnt/β-catenin, an evolutionary conserved signaling pathway, plays an
essential role in modulating kidney injury and repair. Our previous studies demonstrated that
Wnt/β-catenin signaling could stimulate macrophage M2 polarization and contribute to
kidney fibrosis. However, whether canonical Wnt signaling activation leads to macrophage
proliferation during kidney fibrosis remains to be determined. Methods: In this study, a
mouse model with macrophage-specific β-catenin gene deletion was generated and a …
Background
Wnt/β-catenin, an evolutionary conserved signaling pathway, plays an essential role in modulating kidney injury and repair. Our previous studies demonstrated that Wnt/β-catenin signaling could stimulate macrophage M2 polarization and contribute to kidney fibrosis. However, whether canonical Wnt signaling activation leads to macrophage proliferation during kidney fibrosis remains to be determined.
Methods
In this study, a mouse model with macrophage-specific β-catenin gene deletion was generated and a unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) model was created.
Results
In a mouse model with UUO nephropathy, deletion of β-catenin in macrophages attenuated macrophage proliferation and accumulation in kidney tissue. Wnt3a, a well-known canonical Wnt signaling stimulator, could markedly promote macrophage proliferation, whereas blocking canonical Wnt signaling with ICG-001 or ablating β-catenin could largely inhibit macrophage colony-stimulating factor-stimulated macrophage proliferation. Wnt3a treatment could time-dependently upregulate cyclin D1 protein expression and blocking β-catenin signaling could downregulate it.
Conclusion
These results demonstrate that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential for promoting macrophage proliferation during kidney fibrosis.
Karger