The Wnt pathway and the roles for its antagonists, DKKS, in angiogenesis.
The Wnt signaling pathway is involved in a wide range of developmental and physiological processes, such as cell fate specification, tissue morphogenesis, and homeostasis. Thus, its dysregulation has been found in multiple diseases, including some cardiovascular disorders. The loss or gain of function of Wnt pathway components results in abnormal vascular development and angiogenesis. Further study has revealed that Wnt signaling in endothelial cells appears to contribute to vascular morphogenesis and endothelial cell specification. Owing to the significance of Wnt signaling in angiogenesis, Wnt antagonists have been considered potential treatments for neovascular disorders. In line with this, members of the Dkk protein family (Dkks), well-known Wnt antagonists, have been recently found to regulate angiogenesis. This review summarizes our present knowledge of the roles of Wnt signaling and Wnt antagonists, particularly Dkks, in angiogenic regulation and explores the therapeutic potential of Wnt antagonists.
Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Hyun-Jung
HJ
Choi
Hongryeol
H
Park
Heon-Woo
HW
Lee
Young-Guen
YG
Kwon
D043165:Angiostatic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway
D043165:Angiostatic Proteins; C501126:DKK1 protein, human; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D051153:Wnt Proteins