title: Beta-catenin/T-cell factor-mediated transcription is modulated by cell density in human bronchial epithelial cells.
abstract: The embryonic Wnt/beta-catenin ('canonical') pathway has been implicated in epithelial regeneration. To investigate the role of Wnt signal transduction in the airways, we characterised the expression of key pathway components in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) and studied the influence of cell density on pathway activity, using sub-confluent cells in log-phase growth as a simple model of repairing epithelium. Primary HBEC and H292 bronchial epithelial cells were found to express TCF-4, TCF-3 and isoforms of LEF-1, transcription factors that are regulated by Wnt signalling. The cells also had the potential to respond to Wnt signalling through expression of several members of the Frizzled receptor family, including FZD-5 and -6. In confluent H292 cells, 20 mM lithium and 25% v/v Wnt-3a conditioned medium induced 4.5-fold (p = 0.008) and 1.4-fold (p = 0.006) increases in TOPflash activity, respectively. Under conditions of reduced cell density, TOPflash activity increased 1.8-fold (p = 0.002) in association with increased nuclear localisation of hypophosphorylated (active) beta-catenin and increased cell proliferation. This up-regulation in reporter activity occurred independently of EGF receptor activation and could not be recapitulated by use of low-calcium medium to disrupt cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion, but was associated with changes in FZD-6 expression. We conclude that reactivation of this embryonic pathway may play an important role in bronchial epithelial regeneration, and that modulation of Fzd-6 receptors may regulate Wnt signalling at confluence. Recognising that many chronic inflammatory disorders of the airways involve epithelial damage and repair, altered Wnt signalling might contribute to disease pathogenesis or progression.
authors.affiliation: The Brooke Laboratories, School of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Steel
authors.forename: Sarah M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Puddicombe
authors.forename: Lynnsey M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Rob M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Holloway
authors.forename: Stephen T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Holgate
authors.forename: Donna E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001980:Bronchi / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002452:Cell Count; D002460:Cell Line; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000502:physiology; D051157:Frizzled Receptors; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D051821:Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*; D015533:Transcriptional Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin
chemical_list: C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C484687:FZD6 protein, human; D051157:Frizzled Receptors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C497573:LEF1 protein, human; D051821:Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin; D066246:ErbB Receptors