A glimpse of the pathogenetic mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in diabetic nephropathy.
The Wnt family of proteins belongs to a group of secreted lipid-modified glycoproteins with highly conserved cysteine residues. Prior results indicate that Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a prominent role in cell differentiation, adhesion, survival, and apoptosis and is involved in organ development, tumorigenesis, and tissue fibrosis, among other functions. Accumulating evidence has suggested that Wnt/β-catenin exhibits a pivotal function in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). In this review, we focused on discussing the dual role of Wnt/β-catenin in apoptosis and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) formation of mesangial cells. Moreover, we also elucidated the effect of Wnt/β-catenin in podocyte dysfunction, tubular EMT formation, and renal fibrosis under DN conditions. In addition, the molecular mechanisms involved in this process are introduced. This information provides a novel molecular target of Wnt/β-catenin for the protection of kidney damage and in delay of the progression of DN.
Department of Nephrology, 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 415800, China.
Li
L
Xiao
Department of Nephrology, 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 415800, China.
Ming
M
Wang
Department of Nephrology, 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 415800, China.
Shikun
S
Yang
Department of Nephrology, 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 415800, China.
Fuyou
F
Liu
Department of Nephrology, 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 415800, China.
Lin
L
Sun
D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D050527:Mesangial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway / Q000235:genetics*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D051176:beta Catenin