Augmenting endogenous Wnt signaling improves skin wound healing

PLoS One. 2013 Oct 18;8(10):e76883. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076883. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Wnt signaling is required for both the development and homeostasis of the skin, yet its contribution to skin wound repair remains controversial. By employing Axin2(LacZ/+) reporter mice we evaluated the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of Wnt responsive cells, and found that the pattern of Wnt responsiveness varies with the hair cycle, and correlates with wound healing potential. Using Axin2(LacZ/LacZ) mice and an ear wound model, we demonstrate that amplified Wnt signaling leads to improved healing. Utilizing a biochemical approach that mimics the amplified Wnt response of Axin2(LacZ/LacZ) mice, we show that topical application of liposomal Wnt3a to a non-healing wound enhances endogenous Wnt signaling, and results in better skin wound healing. Given the importance of Wnt signaling in the maintenance and repair of skin, liposomal Wnt3a may have widespread application in clinical practice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axin Protein / genetics
  • Axin Protein / metabolism
  • Ear, External / injuries
  • Ear, External / metabolism
  • Ear, External / physiopathology*
  • Epidermis / metabolism
  • Epidermis / physiopathology
  • Gene Expression
  • Hair Follicle / metabolism
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Liposomes
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Skin / injuries
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Skin / physiopathology*
  • Time Factors
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / genetics
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / physiology*
  • Wnt3A Protein / genetics
  • Wnt3A Protein / metabolism
  • Wound Healing / genetics
  • Wound Healing / physiology*
  • beta-Galactosidase / genetics
  • beta-Galactosidase / metabolism

Substances

  • Axin Protein
  • Axin2 protein, mouse
  • Liposomes
  • Wnt3A Protein
  • Wnt3a protein, mouse
  • beta-Galactosidase