Lithium induces mesenchymal-epithelial differentiation during human kidney development by activation of the Wnt signalling system.

In this study, we isolated mesenchymal cell lines derived from human first trimester kidneys in monolayer culture and investigated their differentiation potential. We found that the mesenchymal cells could convert into osteogenic, but not adipogenic or endothelial lineages. Furthermore, addition of lithium chloride led to MET which was accompanied by increases in epithelial (CDH1) and tubular (ENPEP) markers and downregulation of renal progenitor (SIX2, EYA1, CD133) and mesenchymal markers (HGF, CD24). Prior to phenotypic changes, lithium chloride altered Wnt signalling with elevations in AXIN2, GSK3β phosphorylation and β-catenin. Collectively, these studies provide the first evidence that lithium-induced Wnt activation causes MET in human kidneys. Therapies targeting Wnts may be critical in the quest to regenerate nephrons for human renal diseases. PMID: 29531810 [PubMed]
Source: Cancer Control - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Cell Death Discov Source Type: research