2007•FEBS LettersRequires access
Wnt signaling enhances the activation and survival of human hepatic stellate cells
Sun Jung Myung, Jung‐Hwan Yoon, Geum‐Youn Gwak, Won Kyum Kim, Jeong‐Hoon Lee, Kang Mo Kim, Chan Soo Shin, Ja June Jang, Sung-Hee Lee, Soomi Lee, Hyo-Suk Lee
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Abstract
Wnt signaling was implicated in pulmonary and renal fibrosis. Since Wnt activity is enhanced in liver cirrhosis, Wnt signaling may also participate in hepatic fibrogenesis. Thus, we determined if Wnt signaling modulates hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and survival. Wnt3A treatment significantly activated human HSCs, while this was inhibited in secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (sFRP1) overexpressing cells. Wnt3A treatment significantly suppressed TRAIL-induced apoptosis in control HSCs versus sFRP1 over-expressing cells. Particularly, caspase 3 was more activated in sFRP1 over-expressing cells following TRAIL and Wnt3A treatment. These observations imply that Wnt signaling promotes hepatic fibrosis by enhancing HSC activation and survival.