Wnt/Lrp/β-catenin signaling suppresses adipogenesis by inhibiting mutual activation of PPARγ and C/EBPα

Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been implicated in repressing adipogenesis. Several lines of evidence show that the possible mechanism is blockade of PPARγ induction. However, the precise mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that Wnt3a conditioned medium suppresses C/EBPβ/δ-induced adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells by inhibiting PPARγ induction. In addition, the mutual activation of PPARγ and C/EBPα was also repressed in the presence of Wnt3a. To further investigate the role of the canonical Wnt pathway in adipogenesis, we used mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from Lrp6-deficient embryos. Contrary to wild-type MEFs, Lrp6-deficient MEFs showed spontaneous adipogenesis and escaped the suppressive effect of exogenous Wnt3a. These findings suggest a critical role of Wnt/Lrp6/β-catenin signaling in adipogenesis and cell fate decision of mesenchymal stem cells.