Potential Roles of the WNT Signaling Pathway in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

The WNT signaling pathway plays an important role in the physiological and pathophysiological processes of the central nervous system and the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We reviewed the literature pertinent to WNT/β–catenin signaling in ALS from cellular studies, animal models, and human clinical trials. WNT, WNT receptors, and other components of the WNT signaling pathway are expressed in both ALS patients and transgenic mice, and are involved in the pathogenesis of ALS. Studies have shown that abnormal activation of the WNT/β–catenin signaling pathway is related to neuronal degeneration and glial cell proliferation. WNT/Ca(2+) signaling is associated with the pro–inflammatory phenotype of microglia; data on the muscle skeletal receptor Tyr kinase receptor in superoxide dismutase–1–G93A mice indicate that gene therapy is necessary for successful treatment of ALS. The varying profiles of lipoprotein receptor–related protein 4 antibodies in different ethnic groups suggest that individual treatment and multifactorial personalized approaches may be necessary for effective ALS therapy. In conclusion, the WNT signaling pathway is important to the ALS disease process, making it a likely therapeutic target.