[HTML][HTML] β-Catenin stabilization in skin fibroblasts causes fibrotic lesions by preventing adipocyte differentiation of the reticular dermis

M Mastrogiannaki, BM Lichtenberger, A Reimer… - Journal of Investigative …, 2016 - Elsevier
M Mastrogiannaki, BM Lichtenberger, A Reimer, CA Collins, RR Driskell, FM Watt
Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2016Elsevier
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a central role in epidermal homeostasis and regeneration,
but how it affects fibroblast fate decisions is unknown. We investigated the effect of targeted
β-catenin stabilization in dermal fibroblasts. Comparative gene expression profiling of stem
cell antigen 1-(Sca1-) and Sca1+ neonatal fibroblasts from upper and lower dermis,
respectively, confirmed that Sca1+ cells had a preadipocyte signature and showed
differential expression of Wnt/β-catenin–associated genes. By targeting all fibroblasts or …
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a central role in epidermal homeostasis and regeneration, but how it affects fibroblast fate decisions is unknown. We investigated the effect of targeted β-catenin stabilization in dermal fibroblasts. Comparative gene expression profiling of stem cell antigen 1- (Sca1-) and Sca1+ neonatal fibroblasts from upper and lower dermis, respectively, confirmed that Sca1+ cells had a preadipocyte signature and showed differential expression of Wnt/β-catenin–associated genes. By targeting all fibroblasts or selectively targeting Dlk1+ lower dermal fibroblasts, we found that β-catenin stabilization between developmental stages E16.5 and P2 resulted in a reduction in the dermal adipocyte layer with a corresponding increase in dermal fibrosis and an altered hair cycle. The fibrotic phenotype correlated with a reduction in the potential of Sca1+ fibroblasts to undergo adipogenic differentiation ex vivo. Our findings indicate that Wnt/β-catenin signaling controls adipogenic cell fate within the lower dermis, which potentially contributes to the pathogenesis of fibrotic skin diseases.
Elsevier