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Studying Wnt Signaling During Patterning of Conducting Airways
Published on: October 16, 2016
CFTR and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in lung development
J Craig Cohen1, Janet E Larson, Erin Killeen
1The Brady Laboratory, Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stony Brook University, School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York, USA. jcraig.cohen@stonybrook.edu
BMC Developmental Biology
|July 8, 2008
Summary
Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) influences lung development by modulating Wnt signaling. CFTR impacts parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) levels, essential for lung organogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is known to affect stretch-induced lung differentiation.
- The precise mechanisms by which CFTR influences lung development require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CFTR in fetal lung organogenesis.
- To examine the interplay between CFTR, Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, and parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) during lung development.
Main Methods:
- In utero gene transfer using adenoviruses to modify CFTR expression in fetal mouse lungs.
- Utilized the BAT-gal transgenic reporter mouse line to monitor Wnt/beta-catenin signaling activity.
- Assessed CFTR, Wnt, and PTHrP levels in relation to lung organogenesis.
Main Results:
- A direct correlation was observed between CFTR expression levels and PTHrP levels.
- An inverse correlation was demonstrated between CFTR expression and Wnt signaling activity.
Conclusions:
- CFTR plays a role in the mechanosensory processes regulating lung organogenesis.
- These findings suggest CFTR is crucial for modulating Wnt/beta-catenin signaling during fetal lung development.
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