Mechanisms of vascular Wnt signaling during liver homeostasis and tumorigenesis (A02)

• Subject Area: Cell Biology
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 331351713

The vascular control of organ function paradigm (‘angiocrine signaling’) is now well established, with the liver serving as a pioneering model. Endothelial cell-derived Wnt signals are essential for liver homeostasis and adaptive responses. We discovered that vascular Wnt ligands are mechanosensitive and act through dual autocrine and angiocrine mechanisms. Additionally, we identified hepatic stellate cell-derived Rspo3 as a key pericrine regulator of liver zonation, size, and function. Beyond homeostasis, vascular Wnt signals also shape disease progression, including tumor metastasis. Building on these findings, we will mechanistically dissect angiocrine and pericrine Wnt signaling mechanisms in the liver and the lungs during health and disease.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1324: Mechanisms and functions of Wnt signaling
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Hellmut G. Augustin