title: Role of SDF-1 and Wnt signaling pathway in the myocardial fibrosis of hypertensive rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and Wnt signaling pathway on the bioactivities of myofibroblasts (MFs) and the expressions of SDF-1 and components of Wnt signaling pathway in the myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).
  
  
  METHODS
  BMSCs were induced to differentiate into MFs in vitro, and SDF-1 and Wnt signaling pathway were independently or simultaneously blocked. Then, the migration of MFs and the secretion of Col I and α-SMA were determined in MFs. Heart function, progression of myocardial fibrosis and structure of the heart were evaluated. The expression of SDF-1 and components of Wnt signaling pathway in SHR was detected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TGF-β could induce the differentiation of BMSCs into B-MFs; Blocking SDF-1/CXCR4 axis and/or Wnt signaling pathway was able to inhibit the MFs migration and Col I secretion; Blocking Wnt signaling pathway inhibited the differentiation of BMSCs into MFs; Serum SDF-1 increased with the increase in blood pressure, and serum β-catenin elevated with the fluctuation of blood pressure; Protein and mRNA expressions of SDF-1 in the myocardium increased, and those of DKK-1 (an inhibitor of Wnt signaling pathway) and GSK-3 reduced in SHR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SDF-1 and Wnt signaling pathway are involved in the differentiation of BMSCs into MFs, as well as the migration and collagen secretion of MFs; Hypertension affects the expressions of SDF-1 and components of Wnt signaling pathway. In the myocardium of SHR, SDF-1 expression increases, but the expression of inhibitor of Wnt signaling pathway reduces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Shuai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Wenwei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Lingni
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yin
keywords: Stromal cell-derived factor-1; Wnt signaling pathway; myocardial fibrosis; myofibroblasts; spontaneous hypertensive rat