Fig. 10: Schematic illustration of the functions of Wnt/β-catenin and hedgehog signaling in modulation of myofibroblast differentiation of lung-resident mesenchymal stem cells and pulmonary fibrosis.

In the process of pulmonary fibrosis, TGF-β1 could activate Hedgehog pathway via inducing Gli1 translocate to nucleus, which promotes the transcription and translation of Wnt7b and Wnt10a through binding with their promoter areas. Furthermore, Wnt7b and Wnt10a can directly bind with Fzd10 receptor and induce the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, leading to myofibroblast differentiation and pulmonary fibrosis. Oppositely, inhibition of Gli1 or knockdown Fzd10 can suppress myofibroblast differentiation and pulmonary fibrosis