Role of Wnt/PCP pathway on bronchial cell function in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Rationale: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating lung disorder of unknown etiology. IPF likely results from recurrent injury and impaired repair processes of epithelial cells. Within the epithelial cells, the re-activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been demonstrated in alveolar and (peri)-bronchiolar regions. The non-canonical Wnt/Planar cell polarity pathway (Wnt/PCP) is important for epithelial cell movement and polarity generation. Recently, a novel PCP core components have been identified to be expressed in ciliated cells of the lung epithelium. Whether Wnt/PCP pathway is activated in epith…