WNT/BETA-CATENIN SIGNALLING ANTAGONIZES SCX EXPRESSION VIA TGF-BETA SIGNALLING PATHWAY

Introduction Modulation of signaling pathways, which involves tendon development, regeneration, or homeostasis, is one of the potential modalities to facilitate proper regeneration of the injured tendon. Authors have previously reported that activation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling suppressed the expression of tenogenic genes (i.e. Scleraxis (Scx), Mohawk (Mkx), Tenomodulin (Tnmd)) in rat primary tendon-derived cells (TDCs) and SCX-transduced human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC-Scx cells), as a tendon progenitor cell line (kindly provided Dr. Docheva). The roles of TGF-beta signaling in tenogenesis have been elucidated. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of TGF-beta signaling on tenogenic genes and relationship between both two signalings in rat TDCs and hMSC-Scx cells. Materials and Methods Cell cultures TDCs were harvested from the Achilles tendons of 6 week-old SD rats and the 3rd passage TDCs were used. To evaluate the effect of TGF-beta signaling, TGF-beta 1 protein and SD208 (TGF-bet...