title: Analysis of the expression of the Wnt family of proteins and its modulatory role on cytokine expression in non activated and activated astroglial cells.
abstract: Despite the essential functions of astrocytes and the emerging relevance of the Wnt family of proteins in the CNS under physiological and pathological conditions, the astroglial expression of this family of proteins and its potential modulatory role on astroglial activation is almost unknown. Thus, we have evaluated the expression of all Wnt ligands, receptors and regulators, and the activation state of Wnt-related signaling pathways in non-activated and differentially activated astroglial cultures. We found that numerous Wnt ligands, receptors and regulators were expressed in non-activated astrocytes, while the Wnt-dependent pathways were constitutively active. Moreover, the expression of most detectable Wnt-related molecules and the activity of the Wnt-dependent pathways suffered post-activation variations which frequently depended on the activation system. Finally, the analysis of the effects exerted by Wnt1 and 5a on the astroglial expression of prototypical genes related to astroglial activation showed that both Wnt ligands increased the astroglial expression of interleukin 1β depending on the experimental context, while did not modulate tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, transforming growth factor β1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression. These results strongly suggest that the Wnt family of proteins is involved in how astrocytes modulate and respond to the physiological and pathological CNS.
authors: Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, National Hospital for Paraplegics, Finca la Peraleda s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain. Electronic address: paug@sescam.jccm.es.
authors: Pau
authors: P
authors: Gonzalez
authors: Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, National Hospital for Paraplegics, Finca la Peraleda s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain. Electronic address: fjrodriguez@sescam.jccm.es.
authors: Francisco Javier
authors: FJ
authors: Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002452:Cell Count; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000473:pathology; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051153:Wnt Proteins
keywords: Astrocyte; Cytokine expression; In vitro; Wnt ligand; Wnt receptor; Wnt regulator; Wnt signaling