Key result
Higher pre-PCI β-catenin in STEMI is linked to improved follow-up LVEF.
Why the study?
Although Wnt/β-catenin signaling modulates infarct healing and fibrosis in animal models, its role in human post-MI remodeling remains unexplored.
Cohort (n=50)
Elevated β-catenin levels in STEMI patients correlate with improved post-MI LVEF, suggesting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway may serve as a prognostic biomarker for cardiac recovery.
β-catenin levels merit prospective validation as a post-STEMI recovery marker; does not support practice change based on observational data.
BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) triggers fibrotic remodeling, impairing cardiac function and increasing the risk of heart failure. Although the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway modulates infarct healing and fibrosis in animal models, its role in human post-MI remodeling remains unexplored. This study investigates Wnt/β-catenin activation in acute MI and its association with clinical and laboratory markers of remodeling. METHODS: Fifty patients were prospectively enrolled: 40 with ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and 10 matched controls with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). Blood samples were collected at five time points: pre-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), post-PCI, day 3, discharge, and 45-day follow-up. Protein and transcript levels of β-catenin and DKK1 (encoded by CTNNB1 and DKK1) were measured. Echocardiographic, laboratory, and clinical outcomes were also assessed. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 62 ± 8 years; 82% were men. STEMI patients had significantly higher β-catenin and DKK1 levels than CCS controls at all time points. In STEMI, β-catenin remained stable, while DKK1 showed a slight increase. Pre-PCI β-catenin protein levels independently predicted improved left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at follow-up. CONCLUSION: β-catenin is elevated in STEMI patients and correlates with better post-MI LVEF, suggesting a potential role in myocardial repair. These findings support further investigation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway as a prognostic biomarker or therapeutic target in postinfarction cardiac recovery.
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Licordari et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Acute myocardial infarction (n=50). ST-elevation MI (STEMI) vs. Chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) was evaluated on β-catenin and DKK1 levels and left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). ST-elevation MI was associated with significantly higher β-catenin and DKK1 levels than chronic coronary syndrome, and pre-PCI β-catenin independently predicted improved LVEF at follow-up.
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