Smad3-dependent nuclear translocation of β-catenin is required for TGF-β1-induced proliferation of bone marrow-derived adult human mesenchymal stem cells

• Published in: Genes & development Vol. 20; no. 6; pp. 666 - 674
• Main Authors: Jian, Hongyan, Shen, Xing, Liu, Irwin, Semenov, Mikhail, He, Xi, Wang, Xiao-Fan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 15.03.2006
• Subjects: Research Paper
• ISSN: 0890-9369; 1549-5477
• DOI: 10.1101/gad.1388806

Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from bone marrow contribute to the regeneration of multiple types of mesenchymal tissues. Here we describe the functional role of a novel form of cross-talk between the transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and Wnt signaling pathways in regulating the activities of human MSCs. We show that TGF-β1 induces rapid nuclear translocation of β-catenin in MSCs in a Smad3-dependent manner. Functionally, this pathway is required for the stimulation of MSC proliferation and the inhibition of MSC osteogenic differetiation by TGF-β1, likely through the regulation of specific downstream target genes. These results provide evidence for a new mode of cooperation between the TGF-β and Wnt signaling pathways in this specific cellular context and suggest a potentially important role for this distinct signaling pathway in the control of self-renewal and differentiation of a specific type of MSCs.