β-Catenin-regulated myeloid cell adhesion and migration determine wound healing

J Clin Invest. 2014 Jun;124(6):2599-610. doi: 10.1172/JCI62059. Epub 2014 May 16.

Abstract

A β-catenin/T cell factor-dependent transcriptional program is critical during cutaneous wound repair for the regulation of scar size; however, the relative contribution of β-catenin activity and function in specific cell types in the granulation tissue during the healing process is unknown. Here, cell lineage tracing revealed that cells in which β-catenin is transcriptionally active express a gene profile that is characteristic of the myeloid lineage. Mice harboring a macrophage-specific deletion of the gene encoding β-catenin exhibited insufficient skin wound healing due to macrophage-specific defects in migration, adhesion to fibroblasts, and ability to produce TGF-β1. In irradiated mice, only macrophages expressing β-catenin were able to rescue wound-healing deficiency. Evaluation of scar tissue collected from patients with hypertrophic and normal scars revealed a correlation between the number of macrophages within the wound, β-catenin levels, and cellularity. Our data indicate that β-catenin regulates myeloid cell motility and adhesion and that β-catenin-mediated macrophage motility contributes to the number of mesenchymal cells and ultimate scar size following cutaneous injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Cell Lineage / genetics
  • Cell Lineage / physiology
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Cicatrix / metabolism
  • Cicatrix / pathology
  • Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / metabolism
  • Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / pathology
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Macrophages / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Myeloid Cells / cytology
  • Myeloid Cells / physiology*
  • Skin / injuries
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin / physiopathology
  • TCF Transcription Factors / genetics
  • TCF Transcription Factors / physiology
  • Transcriptome
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / biosynthesis
  • Wound Healing / genetics
  • Wound Healing / physiology*
  • beta Catenin / deficiency
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / physiology*

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • CTNNB1 protein, mouse
  • TCF Transcription Factors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • beta Catenin