Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Immunity and Development
Summary
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a highly conserved signalling cascade that integrates extracellular Wnt ligands with intracellular control of β-catenin stability and gene transcription. In the canonical pathway, binding of Wnt proteins to Frizzled and LRP5/6 co-receptors prevents the assembly of a β-catenin destruction complex, allowing β-catenin to accumulate and translocate to the nucleus. There it cooperates with TCF/LEF transcription factors to regulate genes governing cell fate, proliferation and tissue patterning. During embryogenesis, this pathway orchestrates axis formation, organogenesis and stem cell maintenance. In adult tissues, dynamic regulation of Wnt/β-catenin is essential for tissue regeneration and homeostasis. In the immune system, Wnt/β-catenin signalling shapes differentiation and function of dendritic cells, monocytes and macrophages, balancing pro-inflammatory responses against tolerance. Dysregulation of this pathway has been implicated in chronic inflammation, autoimmunity and impaired tissue repair, while modulation of Wnt/β-catenin offers promising avenues for regenerative medicine and immunotherapy.
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Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Immunity and Development publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in wnt/β-catenin signaling in immunity and development across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Canonical Wnt signaling: A branch of the Wnt pathway in which Wnt ligand binding leads to stabilization of β-catenin and activation of target gene transcription.
β-Catenin: A central effector protein that, when stabilised, enters the nucleus to regulate gene expression via TCF/LEF transcription factors.
Chemokine: A small secreted protein that directs immune cell migration by creating concentration gradients.
Monocyte/macrophage: Innate immune cells that patrol the circulation (monocytes) or reside in tissues (macrophages), involved in phagocytosis, antigen presentation and cytokine production.
Diapause: A reversible developmental arrest in certain vertebrate embryos that conserves resources under adverse conditions.
References
- Wnt signaling regulates chemokine production and cell migration of circulating human monocytes. Cell Communication and Signaling (2024).
- β-Catenin Elicits Drp1-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission Activating the Pro-Apoptotic Caspase-1/IL-1β Signalosome in Aeromonas hydrophila-Infected Zebrafish Macrophages. Cells (2023).
- Dynamics of Wnt/β-catenin reporter activity throughout whole life in a naturally short-lived vertebrate. npj Aging (2024).
- Modulation of Inflammatory Responses by Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Dendritic Cells: A Novel Immunotherapy Target for Autoimmunity and Cancer. Frontiers in Immunology (2016).
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