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PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
8
pubmed:dateCreated
2005-7-21
pubmed:abstractText
beta-Catenin functions as a transducer of Wnt signals to the nucleus, where it interacts with the T cell factor (TCF) family of DNA binding proteins to regulate gene expression. On the basis of the genes regulated by beta-catenin and TCF in various biologic settings, two predicted functions of beta-catenin/TCF-dependent transcription are to mediate the loss of epithelial polarity and to promote fibroblast activities, such as the increased synthesis of fibronectin during chronic renal disease. These predictions were tested by determination of the expression and function of an inhibitor of Wnt signaling, secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (sFRP4), during renal tubular epithelial injury initiated by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Despite increased sFRP4 gene expression in perivascular regions of injured kidneys, total sFRP4 protein levels decreased after injury. The decreased sFRP4 protein levels after UUO accompanied increased Wnt-dependent beta-catenin signaling in tubular epithelial and interstitial cells, along with increased expression of markers of fibrosis. Administration of recombinant sFRP4 protein caused a reduction in tubular epithelial beta-catenin signaling and suppressed the progression of renal fibrosis, as evidenced by a partial maintenance of E-cadherin mRNA expression and a reduction in the amount of fibronectin and alpha-smooth muscle actin proteins. Furthermore, recombinant sFRP4 reduced the number of myofibroblasts, a central mediator of fibrosis. It is concluded that beta-catenin signaling is activated in tubular epithelial and interstitial cells after renal injury, and recombinant sFRP4 can interfere with epithelial de-differentiation and with fibroblast differentiation and function during progression of renal fibrosis.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Aug
pubmed:issn
1046-6673
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
16
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
2373-84
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Actins, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Animals, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Blotting, Western, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Cadherins, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Cell Nucleus, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Cells, Cultured, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Cytosol, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-DNA, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Disease Models, Animal, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Disease Progression, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Epithelium, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Fibroblasts, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Fibronectins, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Fibrosis, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Gene Expression Regulation, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-In Situ Hybridization, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Kidney, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Kidney Diseases, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Mice, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Mice, Inbred C57BL, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Muscle, Smooth, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Muscles, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Proto-Oncogene Proteins, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-RNA, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-RNA, Messenger, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Recombinant Proteins, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Signal Transduction, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Time Factors, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Ureter, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Ureteral Obstruction, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-Wnt Proteins, pubmed-meshheading:15944336-beta Catenin
pubmed:year
2005
pubmed:articleTitle
Wnt-dependent beta-catenin signaling is activated after unilateral ureteral obstruction, and recombinant secreted frizzled-related protein 4 alters the progression of renal fibrosis.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 5th Floor MPRB, Campus Box 8208, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article