Transcription of WNT Genes in Hematopoietic Niche’s Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Multiple Myeloma Patients with Different Responses to Treatment

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are involved in bone tissue remodeling due to their ability to differentiate into osteoblasts and to influence osteoclasts’ activity. Multiple myeloma (MM) is associated with bone resorption. During disease progression, MSCs acquire a tumor-associated phenotype, losing their osteogenic potential. The process is associated with impaired osteoblasts/osteoclasts balance. The WNT signaling pathway plays a major role in maintaining the balance. In MM, it functions in an aberrant way. It is not known yet whether the WNT pathway is restored in patients’ bone narrow after treatment. The aim of the study was to compare the level of WNT family gene transcription in the bone marrow MSCs of healthy donors and MM patients before and after therapy. The study included healthy donors (n = 3), primary patients (n = 3) and patients with different response status to therapy (bortezomib-containing induction regimens) (n = 12). The transcription of the WNT and CTNNB1 (encoding β-catenin) genes was accessed using qPCR. The mRNA quantity of ten WNT genes, as well as CTNNB1 mRNA encoding β-catenin, a key mediator in canonical signaling, was evaluated. The observed differences between the groups of patients indicated that aberrant functioning of the WNT pathway was retained after treatment. The differences that we detected for WNT2B, WNT9B and CTNNB1 suggested their possible application as prognostic molecular markers.