Spatiotemporal expression of Wnt5a during the development of the striated muscle complex in rats with anorectal

Jie Mi1, Dong Chen1, Xiantan Ren1

  • 1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University Liaoning, China.

Abstract

Insights

Downregulation of Wnt5a in the striated muscle complex (SMC) may contribute to anorectal malformations (ARMs) in rat embryos. This finding offers insights into the developmental origins of ARM-related functional deficits.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Molecular genetics
  • Anorectal malformations research

Background:

  • Fecal incontinence and constipation after anorectal malformations (ARMs) procedures are linked to striated muscle complex (SMC) maldevelopment.
  • Myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) are crucial for muscle development, with Wnt signaling pathways regulating MRFs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the spatiotemporal expression of Wnt5a in the SMC of rat embryos with ARMs.
  • To understand the role of Wnt5a in SMC development in the context of ARMs.

Main Methods:

  • Anorectal malformations induced in rat embryos using ethylene thiourea.
  • Wnt5a protein and mRNA expression analyzed via immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and qRT-PCR in normal and ARM embryos.

Main Results:

  • Wnt5a protein initially expressed in SMC on embryonic day 17 in normal embryos, increasing with development.
  • Similar time-dependent Wnt5a expression observed in ARM embryos, but at significantly lower levels compared to normal embryos.
  • Western blot and qRT-PCR confirmed higher Wnt5a protein and mRNA expression in normal embryos during SMC development.

Conclusions:

  • Downregulation of Wnt5a during SMC development may be a contributing factor to SMC dysplasia in ARMs.
  • This study highlights Wnt5a's potential role in the etiology of anorectal malformations.