TY - JOUR AB - In idiopathic membranous nephropathy, the complement membrane attack complex, more commonly referred to as complement 5b‑9 (C5b‑9), induces glomerular epithelial cell injury and proteinuria. C5b‑9 can also activate numerous mechanisms that restrict or facilitate injury. Recent studies suggest that autophagy and the canonical Wnt signaling pathway serve an important role in repairing podocyte injury. However, the effect of C5b‑9 on these pathways and the relationship between them remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to show the effect of C5b‑9 on the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway and autophagy in podocytes in vitro. Levels of relevant indicators were detected by immunofluorescence staining and capillary western immunoassay. C5b‑9 serum significantly activated the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway and promoted autophagy. Treatment with Dickkopf‑related protein 1 (DKK1), a Wnt/β‑catenin pathway blocker, protected podocytes from injury and significantly inhibited autophagy. The results indicated that inhibition of the Wnt/β‑catenin pathway physiologically activated autophagy. The results indicated that C5b‑9 resulted in a decrease in Akt in podocytes. However, the podocytes preincubated with DKK1 and then attacked by C5b‑9 showed an increase in Akt levels. This may explain the observation that blocking the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway attenuated C5b‑9 podocyte damage, while inhibiting autophagy. The results of the present study also suggest that regulation of these two pathways may serve as a novel method for the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy. AD - Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, P.R. China Shunyi Branch, Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shunyi, Beijing 101300, P.R. China Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Dongcheng, Beijing 100010, P.R. China Beijing Chinese Medicine Hospital, Pinggu Hospital, Pinggu, Beijing 101200, P.R. China China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guanganmen Hospital, Xicheng, Beijing 100053, P.R. China Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Dongcheng, Beijing 100010, P.R. China Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Dongzhimen Hospital, Dongchen, Beijing 100700, P.R. China AU - Dong,Zhaocheng AU - Dai,Haoran AU - Gao,Yu AU - Feng,Zhendong AU - Liu,Wenbin AU - Liu,Fei AU - Zhang,Zihan AU - Ma,Fang AU - Xie,Xinran AU - Zhu,Zebing AU - Liu,Weijing AU - Liu,Baoli DA - 2021/07/01 DO - 10.3892/etm.2021.10169 IS - 1 JO - Exp Ther Med KW - autophagy Dickkopf‑related protein 1 Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway complement 5b‑9 membranous nephropathy podocyte PY - 2021 SN - 1792-0981 1792-1015 SP - 737 ST - Inhibition of the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway reduces autophagy levels in complement treated podocytes T2 - Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine TI - Inhibition of the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway reduces autophagy levels in complement treated podocytes UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.10169 VL - 22 ER -