Decoy Wnt receptor (sLRP6E1E2)-expressing adenovirus induces anti-fibrotic effect via inhibition of Wnt and TGF-β signaling

Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 8;7(1):15070. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-14893-w.

Abstract

Aberrant activation of the canonical Wingless type (Wnt) signaling pathway plays a key role in the development of hypertrophic scars and keloids, and this aberrant activation of Wnt pathway can be a potential target for the development of novel anti-fibrotic agents. In this study, we evaluated the anti-fibrotic potential of a soluble Wnt decoy receptor (sLRP6E1E2)-expressing non-replicating adenovirus (Ad; dE1-k35/sLRP6E1E2) on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), keloid fibroblasts (KFs), and keloid tissue explants. Higher Wnt3a and β-catenin expression was observed in the keloid region compared to the adjacent normal tissues. The activity of β-catenin and mRNA expression of type-I and -III collagen were significantly decreased following treatment with dE1-k35/sLRP6E1E2 in HDFs and KFs. The expression of LRP6, β-catenin, phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta, Smad 2/3 complex, and TGF-β1 were decreased in Wnt3a- or TGF-β1-activated HDFs, following administration of dE1-k35/sLRP6E1E2. Moreover, dE1-k35/sLRP6E1E2 markedly inhibited nuclear translocation of both β-catenin and Smad 2/3 complex. The expression levels of type-I and -III collagen, fibronectin, and elastin were also significantly reduced in keloid tissue explants after treatment with dE1-k35/sLRP6E1E2. These results indicate that Wnt decoy receptor-expressing Ad can degrade extracellular matrix in HDFs, KFs, and primary keloid tissue explants, and thus it may be beneficial for treatment of keloids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Collagen Type I / genetics
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Collagen Type III / genetics
  • Collagen Type III / metabolism
  • Dermis / cytology
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Fibronectins / genetics
  • Fibronectins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Keloid / genetics
  • Keloid / metabolism*
  • Keloid / pathology
  • Receptors, Wnt / genetics
  • Receptors, Wnt / metabolism*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / pharmacology
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / drug effects
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / genetics
  • Wnt3A Protein / genetics
  • Wnt3A Protein / metabolism
  • Wnt3A Protein / pharmacology
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Collagen Type I
  • Collagen Type III
  • Fibronectins
  • Receptors, Wnt
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Wnt3A Protein
  • beta Catenin