WNT-associated gene expression in human mesenchymal stromal cells under hypoxic stress.

The effect of short-term stress on the expression of 84 Wnt-related genes in mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) was analyzed. In MSCs permanently expanded at 5% O2, Dkk1, RHOA, CSNK1A1, CSNK2A1, GSK3β, and PORCN genes were most highly expressed. FZD1, FZD3, SFRP1, and SFRP4 genes were up-regulated after short-term hypoxic stress (0.1% O2), whereas the expression of LEF-1 and RUVBL1 genes was significantly inhibited (down-regulated). The data suggest that Wnt signal transduction was suppressed under hypoxic stress, whereas the noncanonical Wnt signaling prevailed under the "physiological hypoxia" (5% O2).