Wnt-Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan interaction in fibrotic lung disease

Introduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal lung disease of yet unknown etiology. Recently, (re)activation of developmental pathways, such as Wnt/β-catenin in the alveolar epithelium has been linked to disease development. Regulation of Wnt/β-catenin activation has been shown to be dependent on Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans (HSPGs). The role of Wnt-HSPG interaction in IPF, however, remains to be elusive. Methods: Murine and human lung epithelial cells were treated with Heparin, Desulfated (DS) Heparins or Heparinase II and Chondroitinase ABC, respectively. A Heparin binding assay was used to as…