Activation of canonical WNT/?-catenin signaling enhances in vitro motility of glioblastoma cells by activation of ZEB1 and other activators of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
28.05.2012
Kahlert UD, Maciaczyk D, Doostkam S, Orr BA, Simons B, Bogiel T, Reithmeier T, Prinz M, Schubert J, Niedermann G, Brabletz T, Eberhart CG, Nikkhah G, Maciaczyk J
Cancer Lett. 2012; 325(1):42-53
Here we show that activation of the canonical WNT/b-catenin pathway increases the expression of stem cell genes and promotes the migratory and invasive capacity of glioblastoma. Modulation of WNT signaling alters the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition activators, suggesting a role of this process in the regulation of glioma motility. Using immunohistochemistry in patient-derived glioblastoma samples we showed higher numbers of cells with intranuclear signal for b-catenin in the infiltrating edge of tumor compared to central tumor parenchyma. These findings suggest that canonical WNT/b-catenin pathway is a critical regulator of GBM invasion and may represent a potential therapeutic target.
