Wnt Signaling and Aging-Related Heart Disorders

The document reviewed the potential connection between Wnt signaling pathways, particularly the β-catenin-dependent pathway, and aging-related heart diseases. It highlighted that aging is linked to heart diseases due to both prolonged exposure to cardiovascular risk factors and age-specific conditions like left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. The review discussed cellular senescence, organismal aging, and the role of Wnt signaling in these processes. It mentioned findings from Ye et al. that showed downregulation of Wnt2 gene in human fibroblasts induced cellular senescence, and studies on klotho mice that suggested increased Wnt activity might promote aging. The document also referenced Brack et al.'s evidence that aged mice serum activated Wnt signaling, impairing skeletal muscle regeneration. The pleiotropic effects of Wnt signaling, which can either promote stem cell renewal or lead to stem cell exhaustion, were also discussed. The document concluded that while the role of Wnt signaling in age-related heart disorders is not fully understood, it could be a potential target for therapeutic strategies, underscoring the need for more research in this area.