Activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling promotes lung epithelial repair

Background: Pulmonary emphysema is characterized by airspace enlargement and impaired alveolar repair capacity. Recently, we reported that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway represent as a potential target to promote survival and repair of alveolar epithelial cells in emphysema. Aim: To elucidate Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity in murine pulmonary emphysema and response of primary alveolar epithelial cells upon Wnt/β-catenin activation. Methods: Wnt/β-catenin reporter mice (TOPGAL), carrying the lacZ gene under control of Lef/Tcf-binding motifs upstream of a minimal c-fos promoter, were used to induce emphysema by elast…