Expression of secreted Wnt antagonists in gastrointestinal tissues: potential role in stem cell homeostasis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Wnt signalling dysregulation has been implicated in cancer, including colon and gastric cancer. Initiation of Wnt signalling is modulated by soluble Wnt antagonists (sWAs), including soluble frizzled related proteins, dickkopf (Dkk) proteins, and Wnt inhibitory factor-1 (Wif1).

Aims

To evaluate the role of sWAs in upper (gastric) and lower (colon) gastrointestinal tract tumorigenesis.

Methods

Dkk1-3, Wif1, and FrzB expression was evaluated by in situ RNA hybridisation on normal and malignant human gastric and colon tissues. Expression was graded semiquantitatively.

Results

Wif1, Dkk1, and Dkk2 were not expressed in normal gastric tissue. Dkk3 was expressed in some samples, with stronger expression in deep gastric glands. FrzB was expressed in several

SUBMITTER: Byun T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1770654 | biostudies-literature | 2005 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature