PGRN haploinsufficiency increased Wnt5a signaling in peripheral cells from frontotemporal lobar degeneration-progranulin mutation carriers

Loss-of-function progranulin (PGRN) mutations have been identified as the major cause of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 protein inclusions (FTLD-TDP). Previously, we reported cell cycle-related alterations in lymphoblasts from FTLD-TDP patients, carrying the c.709-1G>A null PGRN mutation, suggesting aberrant cell cycle activation in affected neurons. Here we report that PGRN haploinsufficiency activates the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 pathway in a Ca2+, protein kinase C-dependent, and pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. Addition of exogenous PGRN or conditioned medium from control cells normalized the response of PGRN-deficient lymphoblasts to serum activation. Our data indicated that noncanonical Wnt5a signaling might be overactivated by PGRN deficiency. We detected increased cellular and secreted levels of Wnt5a in PGRN-deficient lymphoblasts associated with enhanced phosphorylated calmodulin kinase II. Moreover, treatment of control cells with exogenous Wingless-type 5a (Wnt5a)-activated Ca2+/calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII), increased extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 activity and cell proliferation up to the levels found in c.709-1G>A carrier cells. PGRN knockdown SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells also show enhanced Wnt5a content and signaling. Taken together, our results revealed an important role of Wnt signaling in FTLD-TDP pathology and suggest a novel target for therapeutic intervention.