Spatially Restricted Stromal Wnt Signaling Restrains Prostate Epithelial Progenitor Growth through Direct and Indirect Mechanisms.

ABSTRACT: Cell-autonomous Wnt signaling has well-characterized functions in controlling stem cell activity, including in the prostate. While niche cells secrete Wnt ligands, the effects of Wnt signaling in niche cells per se are less understood. Here, we show that stromal cells in the proximal prostatic duct near the urethra, a mouse prostate stem cell niche, not only produce multiple Wnt ligands but also exhibit strong Wnt/β-catenin activity. The non-canonical Wnt ligand Wnt5a, secreted by proximal stromal cells, directly inhibits proliefration of prostate epithelial stem or progenitor cells whereas stromal cell-autonomous canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling indirectly suppresses prostate stem or progenitor activity via the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) pathway. Collectively, these pathways res

SUBMITTER: Wei X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6548441 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature