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Updated: Dec 25, 2025

Modeling Paracrine Noncanonical Wnt Signaling In Vitro
Published on: December 10, 2021
Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Neural Stem Cell Homeostasis and Neurological Diseases
Juanmei Gao1,2, Yuan Liao1, Mengsheng Qiu1,2
1Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Abstract:
Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs) maintain the ability of self-renewal and differentiation and compose the complex nervous system. Wnt signaling is thought to control the balance of NSC proliferation and differentiation via the transcriptional coactivator β-catenin during brain development and adult tissue homeostasis. Disruption of Wnt signaling may result in developmental defects and neurological diseases. Here, we summarize recent findings of the roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling components in NSC homeostasis for the regulation of functional brain circuits. We also suggest that the potential role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling might lead to new therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases, including, but not limited to, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression.
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