Wnt signalling inhibits adipogenesis in orbital fibroblasts from patients with Graves' orbitopathy

Background/Aims To investigate the role of Wnt signalling in adipogenesis using an in vitro model of Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). Methods Orbital fat was obtained from patients with GO and non-GO participants for primary orbital fibroblast (OF) culture. Expression levels of Wnt5a, Wnt10b, β-catenin, phospho-β-catenin and cyclin D1 were compared between GO and non-GO OFs. These expression levels were also determined during adipogenesis of GO and non-GO OFs. The effects of a stimulator and inhibitor of Wnt signalling on adipogenesis of GO and non-GO OFs were investigated. Results Western blotting analysis showed significant reductions in β-catenin and cyclin D1 and significant enhancement of phospho-β-catenin in OFs from patients with GO, compared with OFs from non-GO participants (p Conclusion These results indicate that Wnt signalling inhibits adipogenesis in OFs from patients with GO and non-GO participants. Further studies are required to examine the potential of Wnt signalling as a target for therapeutic strategies.