Wnt5a, Ryk and Ror2 expression in glioblastoma subgroups

Background: Wnt5a, a non-canonical Wnt ligand, has been shown to play tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressive roles in different neoplasms. Increased Wnt5a expression and Wnt5a-dependent invasive activity that is mediated by one of its receptors, Ryk, have been reported in glioblastomas. Methods: We investigated the protein expression of Wnt5a, its receptors Ryk and Ror2, and the canonical Wnt pathway marker β-catenin in 186 cases of glioblastoma and its variants. Associations with clinicopathological and molecular variables and prognosis were analyzed. Results: All glioblastoma cases expressed Wnt5a, Ryk and Ror2 with a different grade. The expression of both Ryk and Ror2 correlated with that of Wnt5a in glioblastomas. The expression of β-catenin did not correlate with any of Wnt5a, Ryk or Ror2. Wnt5a expression was significantly different among subgroups of the glioblastoma. However, none of Wnt5a, Ryk or Ror2 had a prognostic impact on glioblastoma. For β-catenin, a shorter progression-free survival was noted in the glioblastoma with oligodendroglioma component (GBMO) subgroup. Conclusions: Our results corroborated previous findings of Ryk-mediated Wnt5a effect, and suggested a role for Ror2 in the Wnt5a machinery in glioblastoma.