Dysregulated bone morphogenetic protein signaling in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension

Rory E. Morty*, Bozena Nejman, Grazyna Kwapiszewska, Matthias Hecker, Anka Zakrzewicz, Fotini M. Kouri, Dorothea M. Peters, Rio Dumitrascu, Werner Seeger, Petra Knaus, Ralph T. Schermuly, Oliver Eickelberg

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

126 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND - Mutations in the bmpr2 gene, encoding the type II bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor, have been identified in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), implicating BMP signaling in PAH. The aim of this study was to assess BMP signaling and its physiological effects in a monocrotaline (MCT) model of PAH. METHODS AND RESULTS - Expression of BMP receptors Ib and II, and Smads 4, 5, 6, and 8, was downregulated in lungs but not kidneys of MCT-treated rats. Smad1 phosphorylation and expression of BMP/Smad target genes id1 and id3 was also reduced, although ERK1/2 and p38 phosphorylation remained unaffected. BMP receptor and Smad expression, Smad1 phosphorylation, and induction of the BMP/Smad-responsive element of the id1 promoter were reduced in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) from MCT-treated rats. As a consequence of impaired BMP/Smad signaling, PASMCs from MCT-treated rats were resistant to apoptosis induced by BMP-4 and BMP-7, and were also resistant to BMP-4 antagonism of proliferation induced by platelet-derived growth factor. CONCLUSION - BMP signaling and BMP-regulated physiological phenomena are perturbed in MCT-treated rats, lending solid support to the proposed roles for BMP signaling in the pathogenesis of human PAH.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1072-1078
Number of pages7
JournalArteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology
Volume27
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2007

Keywords

  • Bone morphogenetic proteins
  • Monocrotaline
  • Pulmonary arterial hypertension
  • Smad
  • VSMC proliferation
  • Vascular remodeling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dysregulated bone morphogenetic protein signaling in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this