Wnt signaling in the vasculature

Area of Science:

• Vascular biology and developmental signaling pathways.

Background:

• Vascular system development involves complex molecular pathways ensuring hierarchical branching and endothelial cell (EC) heterogeneity.
• The blood-brain barrier (BBB), a specialized microvessel property in the central nervous system (CNS), exemplifies intricate vascular development.
• The Wnt/β-catenin pathway has recently emerged as a key regulator in various vascular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the emerging functions of the Wnt pathway in vascular development and pathological angiogenesis.
• To highlight the role of canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling in angiogenesis, vascular remodeling, and differentiation.

Main Methods:

• This study is a review of existing literature on Wnt signaling in vascular development.
• It synthesizes findings on the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway and non-canonical Wnt pathways.
• The review focuses on Wnt pathway's role in angiogenesis, BBB formation, and endothelial-mesenchymal transition.

Main Results:

• Canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling significantly contributes to brain angiogenesis and BBB formation.
• This pathway modulates the Notch pathway, influencing vascular sprouting, remodeling, and arterio-venous specification.
• Canonical Wnt signaling is involved in heart valve development via endothelial-mesenchymal transition.
• Non-canonical Wnt pathways regulate vascular development by controlling VEGF availability.

Conclusions:

• The Wnt signaling pathway plays a multifaceted role in both developmental and pathological angiogenesis.
• Understanding Wnt pathway's vascular functions is critical for addressing vascular diseases.
• Further research into Wnt signaling mechanisms will advance our knowledge of vascular biology.