WNT16B from ovarian fibroblasts induces differentiation of regulatory T cells through β-catenin signal in dendritic cells

Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Jul 21;15(7):12928-39. doi: 10.3390/ijms150712928.

Abstract

Treatment for cancer can induce a series of secreted factors into the tumor microenvironment, which can affect cancer progression. Wingless-type MMTV (mouse mammary tumor virus) integration site 16B (WNT16B) is a new member of the WNT family and has been reported to play growth-related roles in previous studies. In this study, we found WNT16B could be expressed and secreted into the microenvironment by human ovarian fibroblasts after DNA damage-associated treatment, including chemotherapy drugs and radiation. We also demonstrated that fibroblast-derived WNT16B could result in accumulation of β-catenin in dendritic cells and secretion of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), which contributed to the differentiation of regulatory T cells in a co-culture environment. These results shed light on the roles of WNT16B in immune regulation, especially in regard to cancer treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / genetics
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Ovary / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Tumor Microenvironment
  • Wnt Proteins / genetics
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism*
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
  • IL10 protein, human
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • WNT16 protein, human
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • Interleukin-10