Wnt signaling controls pro-regenerative Collagen XII in functional spinal cord regeneration in zebrafish

Wehner D, Tsarouchas TM, Michael A, Haase C, Weidinger G, Reimer MM, Becker T, Becker CG (2017)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Nature Communications Nature Publishing Group: Nature Communications

Book Volume: 8

Article Number: 126

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00143-0

Abstract

The inhibitory extracellular matrix in a spinal lesion site is a major impediment to axonal regeneration in mammals. In contrast, the extracellular matrix in zebrafish allows substantial axon re-growth, leading to recovery of movement. However, little is known about regulation and composition of the growth-promoting extracellular matrix. Here we demonstrate that activity of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in fibroblast-like cells in the lesion site is pivotal for axon re-growth and functional recovery. Wnt/β-catenin signaling induces expression of col12a1a/b and deposition of Collagen XII, which is necessary for axons to actively navigate the non-neural lesion site environment. Overexpression of col12a1a rescues the effects of Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibition and is sufficient to accelerate regeneration. We demonstrate that in a vertebrate of high regenerative capacity, Wnt/β-catenin signaling controls the composition of the lesion site extracellular matrix and we identify Collagen XII as a promoter of axonal regeneration. These findings imply that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and Collagen XII may be targets for extracellular matrix manipulations in non-regenerating species.

Involved external institutions

University of Edinburgh GB United Kingdom (GB) Technische Universität Dresden DE Germany (DE) Universität Ulm DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Wehner, D., Tsarouchas, T.M., Michael, A., Haase, C., Weidinger, G., Reimer, M.M.,... Becker, C.G. (2017). Wnt signaling controls pro-regenerative Collagen XII in functional spinal cord regeneration in zebrafish. Nature Communications, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-00143-0

MLA:

Wehner, Daniel, et al. "Wnt signaling controls pro-regenerative Collagen XII in functional spinal cord regeneration in zebrafish." Nature Communications 8.1 (2017).

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