Paraquat induces pulmonary fibrosis through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and myofibroblast differentiation. (15th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Zhaorui; Yang, Zhizhou; Wang, Mengmeng; Huang, Changbao; Ren, Yi; Zhang, Wei; Gao, Fei; Cao, Liping; Li, Liang; Nie, Shinan
• Is Part Of: Toxicology letters. Volume 333(2020)
• Page Start: 170
• Page End: 183
• Publication Date: 2020-10-15
• Subjects: paraquat poisoning -- pulmonary fibrosis -- myofibroblast differentiation -- epithelial-mesenchymal transition -- Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway; Toxicology -- Periodicals; 363.179
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.08.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-4274

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: PQ induces myofibroblasts differentiation of lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts to promote pulmonary fibrosis. PQ activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in pulmonary fibrogenesis. DKK1 suppresses the myofibroblasts differentiation and ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis via inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Abstract: Paraquat (PQ) poisoning-induced pulmonary fibrosis always results in fatal harm to patients. Our study aimed to investigate the functions of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis. By comparing the proteomic profiles of rat lung tissues using protein array in the absence or presence of PQ, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, as a fibrosis-related pathway, was discovered to be profoundly activated by PQ. The protein levels of Wnt/β-catenin signaling components including MMP-2, β-catenin, Wnt3a, Wnt10b, Cyclin D1, and WISP1 were increased in PQ-treated rat lung tissues. Surprisingly, PQ was found to be able to promote lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts differentiating into myofibroblasts by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), an antagonist of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, could inhibit the myofibroblast differentiation and attenuate PQ-induced pulmonary fibrogenesis in vitro and in vivo. The expression levels of fibroblasts markers Vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Collagen I was detected and found to be increased when PQ treated and restored with additional DKK1 treatment. In summary, these assays indicated that Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway played a regulatory role in the differentiation of lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts, and the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis related to PQ. Inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway may be investigated further as a potential fibrosis suppressor for pulmonary fibrosis therapy.