Glypican-6 stimulates intestinal elongation by simultaneously regulating Hedgehog and non-canonical Wnt signaling

We report here that Glypican-6 (GPC6)-null mice display at birth small intestines that are 75% shorter than those of normal littermates. Notably, we demonstrate that the role of GPC6 in intestinal elongation is mediated by both Hedgehog (Hh) and non-canonical Wnt signaling. Based on results from in vitro experiments, we had previously proposed that GPC6 stimulates Hh signaling by interacting with Hh and Patched1 (Ptc1), and facilitating/stabilizing their interaction. Here we provide strong support to this hypothesis by showing that GPC6 binds to Ptc1 in the mesenchymal layer of embryonic intestines. This study also provides experimental evidence that strongly suggests that GPC6 inhibits the activity of Wnt5a on the intestinal epithelium by binding to this growth factor, and reducing its release from the surrounding mesenchymal cells. Finally, we show that whereas the mesenchymal layer of GPC6-null intestines displays reduced cell proliferation and a thinner smooth muscle layer, epithelial cell differentiation is not altered in the mutant gut.