Fig 1: WNT4 signaling in fibroblasts. a β-catenin translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in the NF#1, NF#2 treated with WNT4 protein (400 ng/ml, 24 h). Scale bar, 50 μm. b and c ICG-001 completely blocked elevation of α-SMA and fibronectin at 10 μM was detected by western blot. Scale bar, 20 μm. d and e The effect of WNT4 on the formation of heterospheroids and gel contraction ability was completely inhibited by ICG-001 (10 μM). Scale bar, 20 μm. Measurement data were presented as the mean ± SD. *P < 0.05; NS, no significance
Fig 2: Serum Wnt2 and Wnt4 are increased in patients with AMI and correlated to the increased risk of adverse outcomes of patients (a, b) ELISA analysis of serum Wnt2 and Wnt4 level in a total of 109 patients with AMI and 56 non-AMI patients. Data are expressed as means±SD, *p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 by Student's t test. (c, d) Kaplan–Meier incidence of MACEs in one year according to high or low level of serum Wnt2 or Wnt4. Wnt2 and Wnt4 were dichotomized into 2 categories with categorical analysis including higher than median and lower than median. Wnt2 high: ≥0.86 (ng/mL); Wnt2 low: < 0.86(ng/mL); Wnt4 high:≥86.2(pg/mL); Wnt4 low: < 86.2(pg/mL). MACEs: major adverse cardiovascular events. Estimated HR, 95% CIs, and p values were calculated. Statistics: The cumulative incidence of the MACE was determined by the Kaplan–Meier method, and the difference between groups was compared using the log-rank test. MACEs: major adverse cardiovascular events. Estimated HR, 95% CIs, and p values were calculated.
Fig 3: Wnt2 or Wnt4 is involved in fibroblasts activation in response to hypoxia. (a,b) Western blot analysis of the expressions of Wnt2, Wnt4, Col1, Col3, TGFβ1, MMP9 MMP2, p-smad2/3, CTGF and α-SMA protein in neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (NRCFs). These NRCFs were pretreated with siRNA targeted Wnt2 or Wnt4 (si-Wnt2 or si-Wnt4) or si-Scramble (si-Scram) for 24 h, and then exposed to hypoxia or normoxia (Control) for 3 h. p: pro-TGF-β1; m: mature or active TGF-β1; TGF-β1 mature form was analyzed. Values were described as means±S.E.M; * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001; n = 3/group. Statistics: Two-way ANOVA with a Bonferroni post hoc test. c: Scratch assay for migratory ability of cardiac fibroblasts pre-transfected with si-scram (CON), si-Wnt2 or si-Wnt4 followed by hypoxia. The representative images were showed at 0 h and 12 h after hypoxia. The bar=20 um; Values were quantitified and expressed as means±S.E.M. ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 vs si-scram group; n = 4/group. Statistics: One-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey test.
Fig 4: NF-κB inhibitor ameliorates Wnt2/Wnt4-induced pro-fibrotic effects in neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (NRCFs). (a,b) The expressions of Col1, Col3, active β-catenin, MMP2, MMP9, p65, p-p65 and TGFβ1 were measured in NRCFs by Western blot analysis. These NRCFs were pretreated with JSH-23(NF-κB inhibitor, 10μM) or the same volume of DMSO for 1 h, followed by PBS, human recombinant Wnt2 (20 ng/ml) or Wnt4 (50 ng/ml) treatment for 24 h. Values were expressed as means±S.E.M. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001; n = 3 in each group. Statistics: Two-way ANOVA with a Bonferroni post hoc test.
Fig 5: Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor relieves Wnt2/Wnt4-induced pro-fibrotic effects in neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (NRCFs). (a,b) The expressions of Col1, Col3, active β-catenin, p65, TGFβ1, Fzd2, Fzd4 and p-p65 were measured in NRCFs by Western blot analysis. These NRCFs were pretreated with ICG-001(β-catenin inhibitor, 10 μM) or the same volume of DMSO for 1 h, followed by PBS, human recombinant Wnt2 (20 ng/ml) or Wnt4 (50 ng/ml) treatment for 24 h. Values were expressed as means±S.E.M. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, n = 3 in each group. Statistics: Two-way ANOVA with a Bonferroni post hoc test.
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