Fzd2 orchestrates canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling to regulate lung development and fibrosis.

ABSTRACT: Wnt signaling is a fundamental regulator of embryonic development and tissue regeneration, and its dysregulation contributes to diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis. However, the mechanisms by which Wnt signaling is differentially activated in lung cell populations and how it regulates lung development and disease pathogenesis remain unclear. Here, we identify distinct, spatiotemporal expression patterns of Wnt ligands and Frizzled receptors in the developing lung, with Fzd2 broadly expressed in epithelial, mesenchymal, and endothelial compartments. Using conditional knockout models, we demonstrate that Fzd2 plays cell type-specific roles through distinct Wnt pathways. Canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling via Fzd2 is essential for endothelial proliferation and vascular development, while non-c

SUBMITTER: Zhou J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12628998 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature