The WNT10B antibody is a research-grade reagent designed to detect the WNT10B protein, a member of the WNT family of signaling molecules. WNT10B is implicated in diverse biological processes, including adipogenesis, mammary gland development, immune regulation, and cancer progression . Antibodies targeting this protein are critical for studying its expression, localization, and functional roles in normal physiology and disease states.
T-cell Development: WNT10B signaling modulates T-cell differentiation and activation. Antibody-based studies revealed that dendritic cells upregulate WNT10B in response to antigen presentation, influencing Th2 polarization in asthma models .
Infection Response: WNT10B expression correlates with cytokine production (IL-6, TNF-α) during sepsis, as shown by antibody-mediated detection in patient samples .
Breast Cancer: WNT10B overexpression is linked to oncogenesis. Antibodies (e.g., Proteintech 67210-1-Ig) have been used to study its role in promoting cancer stem cell maintenance .
Cardiac Tissue Repair: Gain-of-function studies using WNT10B antibodies demonstrated improved coronary vessel formation and reduced fibrosis post-myocardial injury .
When validating a WNT10B antibody for research, multiple complementary approaches should be implemented:
Western blot validation: WNT10B typically appears at approximately 50 kDa (observed) despite a calculated molecular weight of 43 kDa. Validation should include positive control cell lines (e.g., SW480 colorectal adenocarcinoma and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells which express detectable WNT10B) .
Cross-reactivity testing: Conduct direct ELISAs with recombinant WNT family proteins to ensure specificity. For instance, the R&D Systems Human WNT-10b Antibody (Clone #793127) shows no cross-reactivity with recombinant human Wnt-6 .
Knockout/knockdown controls: Use Wnt10b-knockout tissue (e.g., embryos at E14.5) or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockdown cells as negative controls to validate antibody specificity .
Multiple detection methods: Compare results across different techniques (Western blot, IHC, flow cytometry) to confirm consistent detection patterns.
Effective detection of WNT10B requires careful attention to sample preparation:
For Western blotting: Use reducing conditions with Immunoblot Buffer Group 1 as demonstrated in validation studies . PVDF membranes provide optimal protein binding for WNT10B detection.
For immunohistochemistry: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues show reliable results when using heat-induced epitope retrieval methods. Typical antibody dilutions range from 1:100 to 1:200 for commercial antibodies .
For frozen tissue sections: Fixation with 4% paraformaldehyde for 10-15 minutes provides adequate preservation of epitopes while maintaining tissue integrity.
For cultured cells (immunocytochemistry): 4% paraformaldehyde fixation for 10 minutes at room temperature followed by 0.1% Triton X-100 permeabilization yields optimal staining conditions.
To effectively characterize WNT10B-driven canonical signaling activation in tumors:
Sequential section analysis: Perform IHC for WNT10B and β-CATENIN on sequential sections to determine co-localization patterns. Areas with high WNT10B expression typically show corresponding increased β-CATENIN expression in the same regions, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer samples .
Downstream target validation: Combine WNT10B antibody staining with in situ hybridization for AXIN2, a well-established canonical Wnt direct target. The correlation between WNT10B protein expression and AXIN2 mRNA provides strong evidence of active signaling .
Active β-catenin detection: Use antibodies specifically recognizing non-phosphorylated (active) β-catenin (SER33/37/Thr41) in combination with WNT10B staining to confirm downstream pathway activation .
Functional validation: In cell models, complement antibody-based detection with TCF/LEF reporter assays to quantitatively measure transcriptional activation downstream of WNT10B.
These combined approaches have successfully demonstrated that WNT10B expression correlates with active canonical Wnt signaling in human triple-negative breast cancers, with significant prognostic implications (HR = 1.38, p = 0.03) .
Researchers encountering contradictory results in WNT10B studies should consider these methodological approaches:
Antibody epitope mapping: Different antibodies target distinct epitopes within the WNT10B protein. The R&D Systems antibody targets amino acids Asn29-Lys389 , while the Abcam antibody targets a synthetic peptide within Human WNT10B aa 200-300 . Epitope accessibility may differ across sample types or preparation methods.
Isoform-specific detection: Analysis of WNT10B variant expression, such as WNT10BIVS1 identified in AML patients, should employ PCR primers or antibodies that can discriminate between canonical and variant forms .
Temporal expression analysis: WNT10B expression shows dynamic temporal patterns. In cardiac tissue after myocardial infarction, WNT10B levels begin rising around day 3, peak at day 7, and return to baseline during scar maturation . Single timepoint analyses may yield contradictory results.
Cell-type specific analysis: In complex tissues, WNT10B expression varies dramatically between cell types. In inflammatory contexts, T cell-specific WNT10B expression is dramatically different from bulk tissue measurements .
Context-dependent regulation: The apparent contradiction in WNT10B function between asthma and autoimmune models can be resolved by examining the specific T cell polarization state (Th1 vs Th2) and inflammatory context .
The immune system represents a complex environment for studying WNT10B. Effective protocols include:
T cell activation assays: Isolate T cells and activate via CD3 antibodies to induce WNT10B expression. CD3 activation alone increases Wnt10b mRNA, while co-activation with CD28 reverses this increase, revealing complex regulation patterns .
Antigen-presenting cell assays: Co-culture CD11C+ dendritic cells with CD8+ T cells in the presence of specific antigens to analyze WNT10B induction. This system has demonstrated that antigen-presenting dendritic cells significantly increase Wnt10b expression in T cells .
Flow cytometric analysis: Use flow cytometry to isolate and characterize WNT10B-expressing cells within heterogeneous immune populations. This allows correlation of WNT10B expression with specific immune cell subtypes and activation states.
Th1/Th2 polarization experiments: Culture splenic T cells with IL4 (for Th2) or IL12 (for Th1) to examine how WNT10B regulates T helper cell polarization. Wnt10bKO T cells show increased GATA3 and IL4 expression in Th2-polarizing conditions, demonstrating regulatory effects on Th2 differentiation .
For investigating WNT10B's role in cardiac repair after myocardial infarction:
Temporal expression mapping: Use WNT10B antibodies in combination with time-course sampling to track expression patterns during the different phases of cardiac repair. Peak WNT10B expression occurs around day 7 post-MI, following the induction of TGFβ1 .
Cellular co-localization studies: Combine WNT10B antibody staining with cardiomyocyte markers (α-Actinin) and proliferation markers (Ki-67) to identify cells undergoing repair processes. This approach has revealed that WNT10B gain-of-function promotes cardiomyocyte generation at injury sites .
Endothelial vs. non-endothelial proliferation assessment: Use flow cytometry with WNT10B antibodies and endothelial markers to quantify the ratio of proliferating endothelial to non-endothelial cells. WNT10B gain-of-function increases this ratio by 2.5-fold, indicating promotion of endothelial cell proliferation at the expense of myofibroblasts .
Downstream target analysis: Quantify canonical Wnt target genes (Axin2, Lef1) in cardiac tissue to confirm WNT10B signaling activation. This approach has demonstrated that WNT10B gain-of-function upregulates these targets prior to injury .
WNT10B expression has significant prognostic value in certain cancers, particularly triple-negative breast cancer. Key technical considerations include:
Scoring methodology standardization: When quantifying WNT10B expression in tumor microarrays, standardize scoring as either positive or negative based on specific staining intensity thresholds. In TNBC studies, pathologist-validated scoring has revealed that >80% of TNBC samples are WNT10B-positive .
Clinical parameter correlation: Analyze WNT10B expression in relation to specific clinical parameters. High WNT10B expression has been significantly correlated with larger tumor size (>1.5 cm, n = 45, τ = 0.28, p = 0.021) and higher nuclear grade status (grade 3, n = 26, τ = 0.420, p = 0.025) in TNBC .
Survival analysis integration: Incorporate WNT10B expression data into Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to determine prognostic value. Cox proportional hazards regression has revealed an increased risk in patients with high WNT10B expression (HR = 1.38, p = 0.03) specifically in basal-like breast cancer .
Comparative specificity testing: Include related WNT family members (e.g., WNT1) as controls in prognostic studies. Unlike WNT10B, WNT1 expression was unable to predict survival outcome (HR = 1.13, p = 0.42) in the same patient cohorts .
When encountering non-specific binding with WNT10B antibodies:
Antibody titration optimization: Systematically test multiple dilutions between 1:100 and 1:500 for IHC applications to determine optimal signal-to-noise ratio .
Blocking optimization: Test different blocking reagents (5% BSA, 5-10% normal serum from the same species as secondary antibody, commercial blocking solutions) to minimize background.
Multiple antibody validation: Compare results from different antibody clones or suppliers. The R&D Systems monoclonal antibody (Clone #793127) and Abcam's polyclonal antibody (ab70816) have been extensively cited in peer-reviewed research.
Peptide competition assays: Use the corresponding immunizing peptide to confirm binding specificity. Some suppliers offer blocking peptides specifically designed for their WNT10B antibodies .
Advanced detection systems: For weak signals, employ tyramide signal amplification or polymer-based detection systems to enhance specific signals while minimizing background.
WNT10B protein often appears at different molecular weights in Western blots:
Expected vs. observed weights: The calculated molecular weight of WNT10B is 43 kDa, but it is commonly observed at approximately 50-58 kDa .
Post-translational modifications: WNT proteins undergo extensive post-translational modifications, including glycosylation and lipidation, which increase their apparent molecular weight. Different cell types may process WNT10B differently.
Sample preparation effects: Reducing vs. non-reducing conditions can affect migration patterns. All validated protocols for WNT10B detection specify reducing conditions .
Denaturing conditions: Complete denaturation is essential for accurate molecular weight determination. Ensure samples are heated to 95°C for 5 minutes in the presence of SDS and reducing agents.
Gel percentage optimization: Use 10-12% polyacrylamide gels for optimal resolution in the 40-60 kDa range where WNT10B is typically detected.
For tissues with low WNT10B expression:
Signal amplification methods: Implement tyramide signal amplification (TSA) which can increase sensitivity 10-100 fold compared to conventional detection methods.
Proximity ligation assay (PLA): This technique can detect single molecules and provides significantly higher sensitivity than standard immunohistochemistry.
RNAscope® technology: Combine with IHC to correlate protein and mRNA expression at the single-cell level, particularly useful in heterogeneous tissues.
Laser capture microdissection: Isolate specific cell populations before protein extraction to enrich for WNT10B-expressing cells.
Proteomic approaches: Use mass spectrometry-based approaches for unbiased detection and quantification of WNT10B in complex samples.
For investigating WNT10B in AML:
Variant-specific detection: Design antibodies or PCR strategies capable of distinguishing between canonical WNT10B and non-physiological WNT10BIVS1 variant, which is highly expressed in all non-favorable risk de novo AML but not in core-binding factor AML, acute promyelocytic leukemia, or therapy-related disease .
Risk stratification approaches: Develop immunohistochemical panels combining WNT10B with other established AML markers to identify specific leukemic entities associated with distinct molecular signatures.
Minimal residual disease monitoring: Explore the potential of WNT10B as a marker for minimal residual disease monitoring in AML patients, particularly those with high expression of WNT10B/WNT10BIVS1 variants.
Therapeutic target validation: Use WNT10B antibodies to identify patient populations potentially responsive to WNT signaling inhibitors or other targeted therapies.
To effectively study WNT10B in immune regulation:
T cell subset isolation: Separate different T cell populations (CD4+, CD8+, memory vs. naive, Th1 vs. Th2) before analyzing WNT10B expression, as effects vary dramatically between subsets .
In vivo disease models: Incorporate models like the house dust mite (HDM) asthma model when studying WNT10B's role in allergic inflammation, as WNT10B regulates type 2 inflammation and Th2 responses .
Knockout models with conditional reconstitution: Use Wnt10bKO mice with cell-type specific WNT10B reconstitution to determine the specific cellular source of WNT10B responsible for observed phenotypes.
Cytokine profiling: Always include comprehensive cytokine profiling (IL4, IL13, IFNγ, IL17A) when studying WNT10B's effects on immune responses, as it differentially regulates Th1, Th2, and Th17 responses .
Pharmacological intervention: Include WNT pathway inhibitors like ICG-001 (which blocks CBP-mediated acetylation of β-catenin) to confirm the dependence of observed effects on canonical WNT signaling .
For studying signaling cross-talk:
Co-immunoprecipitation approaches: Use WNT10B antibodies for co-IP followed by mass spectrometry to identify novel binding partners and mediators of cross-talk with other signaling pathways.
Temporal signaling analysis: Implement time-course experiments comparing WNT10B expression with TGFβ1 activation, as demonstrated in cardiac repair models where WNT10B peak levels followed TGFβ1 induction .
Pathway inhibitor combinations: Combine WNT signaling inhibitors with modulators of other pathways (e.g., TGFβ, Notch, Hedgehog) to dissect intersection points.
Single-cell multi-omics: Incorporate single-cell approaches to correlate WNT10B expression with activation of multiple signaling pathways at the individual cell level, revealing heterogeneity in pathway cross-talk.
In silico network analysis: Utilize computational approaches to predict and validate pathway interactions based on transcriptomic data from WNT10B-expressing cells.