Int J Stomatol

Int J Stomatol ›› 2025, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (3): 411-418.doi: 10.7518/gjkq.2025054

• Reviews • Previous Articles    

The role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in taste bud development and injury reconstruction

Shuhao Zheng(),Zixia Li,Xin Xu()   

  1. State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Dept. of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
  • Received:2024-06-14 Revised:2024-11-07 Online:2025-05-01 Published:2025-04-30
  • Contact: Xin Xu E-mail:851730340@qq.com;xin.xu@scu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(82370947)

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Abstract:

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is a major route by which mammals control embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. The taste buds, a receptor of the taste system, generate taste signals to help the body evaluate the toxicity and nutritional components of food. Thus, taste buds play a vital role in the normal metabolism of mammals. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial regulatory role in the development and reconstruction of taste buds, coordinating with other signaling pathways and regulatory factors to ensure the normal development and homeostasis of taste buds and taste bud cells throughout their life cycle. This review discusses the role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in gustatory papilla development and repair. The focus is on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway’s regulation of progenitor and precursor cell differentiation, its interaction with other pathways, and maintenance of homeostasis. New insights into the molecular mechanisms of gustatory papilla development and the prevention and treatment of taste disorders are provided.

Key words: Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, taste bud, taste cell, development, injury reconstruction

CLC Number: 

  • R78

TrendMD: 

Fig 1

Pattern of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway"

Fig 2

Illustration of the circumvallate papillae, taste bud and taste cell"

Fig 3

The sequence of taste bud and papilla development in mouse embryos"

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