Wnt Signaling in Stem Cells

Wnt signaling pathways play divergent roles during development, normal homeostasis and disease. Wnt signaling is also critically important in stem cell biology. It has been demonstrated to be involved in both the proliferation and differentiation of stem and progenitor populations. Wnt/β-catenin signaling also plays a critical role in lineage decision/commitment. These dramatically different outcomes upon activation of the Wnt signaling cascade has fueled enormous controversy concerning the role of Wnt signaling in maintenance of potency and induction of differentiation. Tight regulation and controlled coordination of the Wnt signaling cascade is required to maintain the balance between proliferation and differentiation. The diverse and titrated responses that result from the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway however begs the question of how the Wnt signaling network integrates the various inputs that a cell receives to elicit the correct and coordinated responses.