The role of Wnt5a in aging-related diseases

Abstract

Wnt is a family of glycoproteins that are essential signalling molecules during development, but its overexpression in adulthood leads to ageing of the organism, and in particular, the expression of Wnt5a is an important factor in the development of diseases such as atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis and tendon ageing. In atherosclerosis, patients serum levels of Wnt5a is elevated and Wnt5a is linked to -catenin-independent signaling pathways which is related to the expression of inflammatory genes and the advancement of inflammation. Osteoarthritis one character is the demolition of cartilage. In this disease, the expression model of Wnt5a will change from canonical to non-canonical, and this kind of model actives chondrocyte catabolism. Tendons can repair and regenerate themselves through tendon stem cells (TSPC). Tendon senescence is inextricably linked to the senescence of TSPC, overexpressing of Wnt5a affects tendon stem cells thus leads to tendon aging.The aim of this paper is to analyse the role of Wnt5a in the development of these diseases and suggest effective treatments for them.