Overexpression of Wnt11 promotes chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in synergism with TGF-β

“Wnt signaling involves regulating chondrogenesis and MSC differentiation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of Wnt11, a member of noncanonical Wnts, in MSCs during chondrogenic differentiation. Overexpression of Wnt11 inhibited proliferation of MSCs and caused a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. The expression level of chondrogenic markers, aggrecan and Collagen II, was significantly increased in MSCs transduced with Wnt11 as compared with non-transduced cells or MSCs transduced with the empty lentiviral vector. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Wnt11 stimulated gene expression of chondrogenic regulators, SRY-related gene 9, Runt-related transcription factor 2, and Indian hedgehog. Finally, Wnt11 overexpression promoted chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs in synergism with TGF-β.”

“Wnt3a promotes proliferation whereas suppresses chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. In addition, expression of either Wnt-1 or Wnt7a causes a severe block in chondrogenesis”

“Wnt11 gene is highly expressed at the late stage of chondrogenic differentiation of human MSCs in three-dimensional alginate gels”

“the inhibition rate of Wnt11 overexpression for MSC proliferation was relatively low”

“Wnt11 may enhance the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs via repressing canonical Wnt signaling, such as Wnt1 and Wnt3a, which has been shown to inhibit chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs”