Activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling promotes mesenchymal stem cells to repair injured alveolar epithelium induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice
Authors: Feng-mei Guo
Hong-li He
Jing-yuan Xu
Ai-ran Liu
Yi Yang
Ying-zi Huang
Ling Liu
Song Chen
Shi-xia Cai
Hai-bo Qiu
Qi-hong Chen
Chun Pan
Journal: Stem Cell Research & Therapy (2015)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: Mesenchymal stem cells; MSCs; acute respiratory distress syndrome; ARDS; Wnt/β-catenin pathway
Affiliations: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhong-da Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China. ., Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, People's Republic of China. ., State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China. .

Abstract:  Introduction: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have potential for re-epithelization and recovery in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In a previous in vitro study, the results showed that the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway promoted the differentiation of MSCs into type II alveolar epithelial cells, conferred resistance to oxidative stress, and promoted their migration, suggesting that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway might be one of the key mechanisms underling the therapeutic effect of mouse MSCs in ARDS. Methods: Mouse MSCs stable transfected with β-catenin or green fluorescent protein control were transplanted intratracheally into the ARDS mice induced by lipopolysaccharide. Lung tissue injury and repair assessment were examined using haematoxylin and eosin staining, lung injury scoring, Masson's trichrome staining and fibrosis scoring. Homing and differentiation of mouse MSCs were assayed by labelling and tracing MSCs using NIR815 dye, immunofluorescent staining, and Western immunoblot analysis. The inflammation and permeability were evaluated by detecting the cytokine and protein measurements in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: In this study, β-catenin-overexpressing MSC engraftment led to more significant effects than the GFP controls, including the retention of the MSCs in the lung, differentiation into type II alveolar epithelial cells, improvement in alveolar epithelial permeability, and the pathologic impairment of the lung tissue. Conclusion: These results suggest that the activation of canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway by mouse MSCs by overexpressing β-catenin could further improve the protection of mouse MSCs against epithelial impair and the therapeutic effects of mouse MSCs in ARDS mice. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Figure 2A appears to have a repeated image and one set of images which overlap after recoloring. This seems to be a recurring issue for papers with a common author. *** ![file] , 
 Retracted [3 February 2022] . ---------------------- The Editors-in-Chief have retracted this article. Concerns were raised about image overlap in Fig. 2A between NSu2009+u2009PBS 3 day and NSu2009+u2009PBS 14 day, and between LPSu2009+u2009mMSCs-Ctnnb1 3 day and LPSu2009+u2009mMSCs control 7 day. In response to these concerns, the authors provided original images, which contained further cases of overlap and duplication among images representing different samples. The Editors-in-Chief therefore no longer have confidence in the integrity of the data and results of this article. All authors agree to this retraction. ,