GSE173900
WNT5A Drives IL-6-Dependent Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition via the JAK/STAT Pathway in Keloid Pathogenesis
Purpose: We aimed to identify the molecular drivers that initiate or sustain keloid pathogenesis. Method: Bulk tissue RNA sequencing of Asian keloid and normal tissues was performed to identify genes that contribute to keloid pathogenesis. We also established a preclinical model of inflammatory skin fibrosis by injecting C57BL/6 mice with bleomycin intradermally for 3 weeks to provide an alternative animal model of keloid scar. Result: Gene set enrichment analysis revealed upregulation of WNT5A gene expression, along with significant enrichment of genes related to EMT in keloid tissues. These results correlate with those of histological analysis in which human keloid tissues and the bleomycin-induced fibrosis animal model showed increased WNT5A expression along with EMT markers. Our in vitro data showed increased expression of the IL-6/JAK/STAT pathway and subsequent elevation in EMT markers on keratinocytes when co-cultured with WNT5A-activated fibroblasts or keloid fibroblasts. Silencing of WNT5A reversed the hyperactivation of the STAT pathway and EMT. Conclusion: IL-6 secreted from WNT5A-activated fibroblasts or keloid fibroblasts may induce adjacent keratinocytes to express EMT markers by activating the JAK/STAT signalling pathway. A better understanding of keloid pathogenesis and the role of WNT5A in EMT will promote the development of next-generation targeted treatments for keloid scars. Overall design: Bulk RNA sequencing for Asian keloid tissues vs. normal tissues