Glucocorticoids inhibits the repair of airway epithelial cells via the activation of wnt pathway

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of Wnt pathway on the inhibition of airway epithelial cells repair by glucocorticoid. Materials and Methods: The expression of E-cadherin in asthma mice model was detected by immunocytochemistry. XAV939 was used to treat 16HBE, and the expressions of related genes were determined by western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell viability, migration and cell cycle were analyzed by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide, wound healing and flow cytometry, respectively. Results: In asthma mice model, the lung tissue was impaired. After dexamethasone treatment, the airway inflammation was relieved and the expression of E-cadherin was reduced. Dexamethasone increased the expressions of Wnt7b, LRP5, beta-catenin and CyclinD1, inhibited cell viability and migration and arrested cell cycle, whereas XAV939 produced the opposite effects. In addition, XAV939 suppressed Wnt pathway that activated by dexamethasone. Conclusion: Glucocorticoid could inhibit cell proliferation and migration via regulating Wnt pathway to affect cell cycle, thus inhibiting the repair of airway epithelial after injury.