Multiple suppression pathways of canonical Wnt signalling control thymic epithelial senescence

► Active Wnt-4 receptors, Fz-4 and Fz-6 are up-regulated during initialisation of thymic atrophy. ► Inhibitory receptor Fz-6, a negative regulator of β-catenin dependent Wnt signalling is increasingly associated with PKCδ during initialisation of thymic ageing. ► One of the Wnt-4 target genes is connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). ► CTGF, a suppressor of canonical Wnt signalling is up-regulated during ageing. ► Decline of the thymic epithelial network is initiated by active suppression of Wnt signalling.