Effects of exogenous recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-7 on the corneal epithelial mesenchymal transition and fibrosis

AIM：To evaluate the effect of exogenous recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-7（rhBMP-7）on transforming growth factor-β（TGF-β）-induced epithelial mesenchymal cell transition（EMT）and assessed its antifibrotic effect via topical application.METHODS：The cytotoxic effect of rhBMP-7 was evaluated and the EMT of human corneal epithelial cells（HECEs）was induced by TGF-β. HECEs were then cultured in the presence of rhBMP-7 and/or hyaluronic acid（HA）. EMT markers,fibronectin,E-cadherin,α-smooth muscle actin（α-SMA）,and matrix metaloproteinase-9（MMP-9）,were evaluated. The level of corneal fibrosis and the reepithelization rate were evaluated using a rabbit keratectomy model. Expression of α-SMA in keratocytes were quantified following treatment with different concentrations of rhBMP-7.RESULTS：Treatment with rhBMP-7 attenuated TGF-β-induced EMT in HECEs. It significantly attenuated fibronectin secretion（31.6%; P〈0.05）,the α-SMA protein level（72.2%; P〈0.01）,and MMP-9 expression（23.6%,P〈0.05）in HECEs compared with cells grown in the presence of TGF-β alone. E-cadherin expression was significantly enhanced（289.7%; P〈0.01）in the presence of rhBMP-7. Topical application of rhBMP-7 combined with 0.1% HA significantly reduced the amount of α-SMA~＋ cells by 43.18%（P〈0.05）at a concentration of 2.5 μg/mL and by 47.73%（P〈0.05）at 25 μg/mL,compared with the control group,without disturbing corneal reepithelization.CONCLUSION：rhBMP-7 attenuates TGF-β-induced EMT in vitro,and topical application of rhBMP-7 reduces keratocyte myodifferentiation during the early wound healing stages in vivo without hindering reepithelization. Topical rhBMP-7 application as biological eye drops seems to be feasible in diseases involving TGF-β-related corneal fibrosis with corneal reepithelization disorders.

Curcumin Inhibits Prostate Cancer Bone Metastasis by Up-Regulating Bone Morphogenic Protein-7 <i>in Vivo</i>

A number of studies have focused on the beneficial properties of Curcumin (diferuloyl methane, used in South Asian cuisine and traditional medicine) such as the chemoprevention of cancer. Recent studies have also indicated that this material has significant benefits for the treatment of cancer and is currently undergoing several clinical trials. We have been interested in the application of this compound as a therapeutic agent for advanced prostate cancer, particularly the skeletal complications in this malignancy. Our earlier work indicated that this compound could inhibit the osteomimetic properties which occur in castration resistant prostate cancer cells, by interfering with the common denominators between these cancer cells and the bone cells in the metastatic tumor microenvironment, namely the osteoblasts and the osteoclast. We predicted that curcumin could break the vicious cycle of reciprocal stimulation that results in uncontrolled osteolysis in the bony matrix. In this work, we have evaluated the potential of this compound in inhibiting the bone metastasis of hormone refractory prostate cancer cells in an established animal model. Our results strongly suggest that curcumin modulates the TGF-βsignaling that occurs due to bone matrix degradation by up-regulating the metastasis inhibitory bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP-7). This enhancement of BMP-7 in the context of TGF-β in the tumor microenvironment is shown to enhance the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. Most importantly, we show that as a result of BMP-7 up-regulation, a novel brown/beige adipogenic differentiation program is also up-regulated which plays a role in the inhibition of bone metastasis. Our results suggest that curcumin may subvert the TGF-β signaling to an alternative adipogenic differentiation program in addition to the previously established interference with the osteomimetic properties, thus inhibiting the bone metastatic processes in a chemopreventive as well as therapeutic setting.

Exogenous bone morphogenetic protein-7 reduces hepatic fibrosis inSchistosoma japonicum-infected micevia transforming growth factor-β/Smad signaling

AIM: To investigate the antifibrotic effects of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) on Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum )-induced hepatic fibrosis in BALB/C mice. METHODS: Sixty BALB/C mice were randomly divided into three groups, including a control group (group A, n = 20), model group (group B, n = 20) and BMP-7 treated group (group C, n = 20). The mice in group B and group C were abdominally infected with S. japonicum cercariae to induce a schistosomal hepatic fibrosis model. The mice in group C were administered human recombinant BMP-7. Liver samples were extracted from mice sacrificed at 9 and 15 wk after modeling. Hepatic histopathological changes were assessed using Masson's staining. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), phosphorylated Smad2/3 (pSmad2/3) and Smad7 protein levels and localization were measured by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively, and their mRNA expressions were detected by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The schistosomal hepatic fibrosis mouse model was successfully established, as the livers of mice in group B and group C showed varying degrees of typical schistosomal hepatopathologic changes such as egg granuloma and collagen deposition. The degree of collagen deposition in group C was higher than that in group A (week 9: 22.95±6.66vs 2.02±0.76; week 15: 12.84±4.36 vs 1.74±0.80; P<0.05), but significantly lower than that in group B (week 9: 22.95±6.66 vs 34.43±6.96; week 15: 12.84±4.36 vs 18.90±5.07;P<0.05) at both time points. According to immunohistochemistry data, the expressions of α-SMA, TGF-β1 and pSmad2/3 protein in group C were higher than those in group A (α-SMA: week 9: 21.24±5.73 vs 0.33±0.20; week 15: 12.42±4.88 vs 0.34±0.27; TGF-β1: week 9: 37.00±13.74 vs 3.73±2.14; week 15: 16.71±9.80 vs 3.08±2.35; pSmad2/3: week 9: 12.92±4.81 vs 0.83±0.48; week 15: 7.87±4.09 vs 0.90±0.45; P<0.05), but significantly lower than those in group B (α-SMA: week 9: 21.24±5.73 vs 34.39±5.74; week 15: 12.42±4.88 vs 25.90±7.01; TGF-β1: week 9: 37.00±13.74 vs 55.66±14.88; week 15: 16.71±9.80 vs 37.10±12.51; pSmad2/3: week 9: 12.92±4.81 vs 19.41±6.87; week 15: 7.87±4.09vs 13.00±4.98;P<0.05) at both time points; the expression of Smad7 protein in group B was higher than that in group A and group C at week 9 (8.46±3.95 vs 1.00±0.40 and 8.46±3.95 vs 0.77±0.42; P<0.05), while there were no differences in Smad7 expression between the three groups at week 15 (1.09±0.38 vs 0.97±0.42 vs 0.89±0.39; P>0.05). Although minor discrepancies were observed, the results of RT-PCR and Western blotting were mainly consistentwith the immunohistochemical results. CONCLUSION: Exogenous BMP-7 significantly decreased the degree of hepatic fibrosis in both the acute and chronic stages of hepato-schistosomiasis, and the regulatory mechanism may involve the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.

Roles and regulation of bone morphogenetic protein-7 in kidney development and diseases

The gene encoding bone morphogenetic protein-7(BMP7) is expressed in the developing kidney in embryos and also in the mature organ in adults. During kidney development, expression of BMP7 is essential to determine the final number of nephrons in and proper size of the organ. The secreted BMP7 acts on the nephron progenitor cells to exert its dual functions: To maintain and expand the progenitor population and to provide them with competence to respond to differentiation cues, each relying on distinct signaling pathways. Intriguingly, in the adult organ, BMP7 has been implicated in protection against and regeneration from injury. Exogenous administration of recombinant BMP7 to animal models of kidney diseases has shown promising effects in counteracting inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis evoked upon injury. Although the expression pattern of BMP7 has been well described, the mechanisms by which it is regulated have remained elusive and the processes by which the secretion sites of BMP7 impinge upon its functions in kidney development and diseases have not yet been assessed. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms will pave the way towards gaining better insight into the roles of BMP7, and to achieving desired control of the gene expression as a therapeutic strategy for kidney diseases.

Heterotopic ossification after the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7

AIM To present the incidence of heterotopic ossification after the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7(rhB MP-7) for the treatment of nonunions.METHODS Bone morphogenetic proteins(BMPs) promote bone formation by auto-induction. Recombinant human BMP-7 in combination with bone grafts was used in 84 patients for the treatment of long bone nonunions. All patients were evaluated radiographicaly for the development of heterotopic ossification during the standard assessment for the nonunion healing. In all patients(80.9%) with radiographic signs of heterotopic ossification, a CT scan was performed. Nonunion site palpation and ROM evaluation of the adjacent jointswere also carried out. Factors related to the patient(age, gender), the nonunion(location, size, chronicity, number of previous procedures, infection, surrounding tissues condition) and the surgical procedure(graft and fixation type, amount of rhB MP-7) were correlated with the development of heterotopic ossification and statistical analysis with Pearsons χ~2 test was performed.RESULTS Eighty point nine percent of the nonunions treated with rh BMP-7, healed with no need for further procedures. Heterotopic bone formation occurred in 15 of 84 patients(17.8%) and it was apparent in the routine radiologi-cal evaluation of the nonunion site, in a mean time of 5.5 mo after the rh BMP-7 application(range 3-12). The heterotopic ossification was located at the femur in 8 cases, at the tibia in 6, and at the humerus in οne patient. In 4 patients a palpable mass was present and only in one patient, with a para-articular knee nonunion treated with rhB MP-7, the size of heterotopic ossification affected the knee range of motion. All the patients with heterotopic ossification were male. Statistical analysis proved that patient's gender was the only important factor for the development of heterotopic ossification(P = 0.007). CONCLUSION Heterotopic ossification after the use of rh BMP-7 in nonunions was common but it did not compromise the final clinical outcome in most cases, and affected only male patients.

Potential bone-inducing activity in vitro of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7 from a CHO expression system

Objective: To express the recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7(rhBMP-7) in Chinese hamster ovary(CHO) cells, and to establish the in vitro biological activity assay of rhBMP-7.Methods: Human BMP-7 cDNA was subcloned into p114 mammalian expression vector and transfected to CHO cells by using the Lipofectamine 2000 transfection method. CHO cell supernatants were harvested and analyzed to identify the molecule mass of secreted rhBMP-7 and examine its biological activity in vitro to stimulate the synthesis of alkaline phophatase(ALP), a characteristic of osteoblast phenotypes. Results: rhBMP-7 was produced stably in CHO cells, as a processed mature disulfide-linked homodimer, with an apparent molecular mass of 36 000. Examination of the rhBMP-7 biological activity showed that rhBMP-7 specifically stimulated the production of ALP(4-fold increase at 100 ng of rhBMP-7/ml). Conclusion: The rhBMP-7 from CHO expression system has significant biological activity in induction of osteoblast phenotype, which demonstrates rhBMP-7 has the potential bone regeneration activity.

Bone morphogenetic protein-7 induced bone marrow stromal cells differentiate into neuron-like cells

Bone morphogenetic protein-7 is widely accepted as an inducer for bone marrow stem cells differentiating into osteoblasts and chondrocytes. Whether bone marrow stromal cells differentiate into neuron-like cells remains unclear. The current study examined the presence of positive cells for intermediate filament protein and microtubule associated protein-2 in the cytoplasm of bone marrow stromal cells induced by bone morphogenetic protein-7 under an inverted microscope, while no expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein was found. Reverse transcription PCR electrophoresis also revealed a positive target band for intermediate filament protein and microtubule-associated protein 2 mRNA. These results confirmed that bone morphogenetic protein-7 induces rat bone marrow stromal cells differentiating into neuron-like cells.

The Use of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7 and Resveratrol in Collagen Type II of Articular Cartilage

This study aimed to investigate the effects of resveratrol and bone morphogenetic protein 7 on type II collagen from superficial and middle zone of porcine articular chondrocytes. Articular cartilage was isolated from dissected porcine knee joint n = 12. Isolated cells were plated as monolayers at a density of 1 × 105 cells/well in 12-well culture plates and incubated at 37℃ in a humid atmosphere of 5% carbon dioxide and 95% air. Cell cultures were treated for four days with various concentrations of bone morphogenetic protein-7 and resveratroL Cells were then collected and analysed for collagen type II expression by real time polymerase chain reaction and protein level quantification by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cartilage tissue sections were localised for collagen type II by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, resveratrol and bone morphogenetic protein-7 effects on cartilage matrix contents were analysed by histology. Resveratrol and bone morphogenetic protein-7 stimulates expression of collagen type II mRNA and protein level accumulation in the surface zone and middle zone at 50μM ＋ 300 ng/ml （RSV ＋ BMP-7）. Immunohistochemistry results confirmed the presence of collagen type II on articular cartilage. Histological tissue sections confirmed that chondrocytes were obtained from different zones of articular cartilage. The study suggests that a combination of bone morphogenetic protein-7 and resveratrol up-regulate the expression and synthesis of collagen type II.

Molecular Cloning and Sequence Analysis of FullLength cDNA Encoding Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein—7

Objective:To clone the full-length human bane morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7 ) gene and analyse its sequence, to aid in investigation of its function and structure. Methods : Total RNA was isolated from Chinese fetal kidney by the acid gmnidinium thiocyanate phenol-chloroform method. Two overlapping segments of human BMP- 1 cDNA were obtained by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Following application, the two segments were ligated to each other and subcloned into POEM-T easy vector to form PEGM-T easy/hBMP-7 recombinant plasmid. Sanger dideoxy chain-termination method was used to sequence the cDNA. Results. There was 750 bp fragment obtained RT-PCR using #2 primer from 5' end of BMP-7 gene (PCR by using # 2 and # 1) ,and 540 bp fragment from 3' end was generated by KT-PCR using # 4 primer (PCR using # 3 and # 4). Full-length cDNA encoding BMP-7 was obtained by religation of two segments. When compared with hBMP-7 sequence in Gene bank (XM30619) ,our full-length BMP-7 cDNA has a G instead of a T at nucleotide 862. This change results in valine substituting for phenylalanine in the protein. Conclusion. This is the first time that BMP-7 cDNA was successfully cloned from Chinese fetal kidney. BMP-7 cDNA plays an important role in healing injuries of the osteo-articular system. This makes BMP-7 is an attractive target far various clinical applications.

骨形态蛋白-7对糖尿病大鼠nephrin表达和分布的影响

目的观察骨形态蛋白-7(BMP-7)对糖尿病(DM)大鼠nephrin表达和分布的影响。方法20只链脲左菌素(STZ)诱导的糖尿病大鼠模型随机分为糖尿病组(DM)和BMP-7治疗组(BMP-7)各10只,另以10只大鼠作对照组(NC)。BMP-7组每周2次腹腔注射人重组BMP-730μg/kg。DM组和NC组给予等量的生理盐水注射。于8、16、24周检测不同时间点24h尿蛋白、尿肌酐和血糖。24周处死动物,PAS染色和透射电镜观察肾组织学改变,RT-PCR、免疫荧光检测nephrin的表达和分布,免疫组化技术检测TGF-β1和WT1的表达。结果与NC组比,DM组24h尿蛋白、肾质量/体质量指数、TGF-β1的表达均显著高于NC组(F值分别为174.3、38.9、117.7,P均小于<0.01)差异均具有统计学意义。而内生肌酐清除率(Ccr)、足细胞数目、nephrin的表达显著低于NC组(F值分别为13.4、79.04、65.5,P均<0.01),而且nephrin由正常的沿毛细血管襻线状分布向颗粒状、团块状改变。BMP-7组24h尿蛋白、肾质量/体质量、TGF-β1的表达较DM组显著降低,Ccr、足细胞数目和nephrinmRNA的表达显著增加,且保持着正常的沿毛细血管襻线状分布,肾脏病理改变减轻。结论外源性的运用BMP-7可以有效地抑制糖尿病引起的nephrin表达的下调,维持nephrin在足细胞上的正常分布;BMP-7对糖尿病大鼠肾脏保护作用可能与拮抗了TGF-β1的活化有关。

芪蛭降糖胶囊对糖尿病肾病大鼠肾组织BMP-7及TGF-β_1/smads信号传导通路的影响

目的：观察芪蛭降糖胶囊对糖尿病肾病（diabetic nephropathy,DN）大鼠肾组织骨形成蛋白-7（bone morpho-genetic protein-7,BMP-7）及转化生长因子（transforming growth factor,TGF）-β1/Smads信号传导通路的影响。方法：48只清洁级雄性Wistar大鼠按体重随机抽取40只,采用切除右肾加腹腔注射链脲菌素（ streptozotocin,STZ）的方法制备DN模型,另外8只大鼠行右肾假切术。造模成功后按尿微量白蛋白（ microAlbumin,mAlb）高低,两头随机抽取分为模型组、缬沙坦对照组、芪蛭降糖胶囊低剂量组、芪蛭降糖胶囊高剂量组。成模2 d起各组给予相应浓度和剂量的药物,给药12周时观察DN大鼠尿mAlb、α1微球蛋白（α1-MG）和血清肌酐（ Scr）、尿素氮（ BUN）。然后,处死所有动物,肾组织行HE染色、PAS染色和Masson染色,观察肾组织病理变化并半定量计算肾小管损伤指数（tubulointerstitial injury index,TII）,免疫组化法检测BMP-7、TGF-β1、Smad2、Smad7在肾组织的表达。结果：给药12周后,模型组大鼠尿 mAlb、α1-MG较假手术组显著增多（ P 〈0.01）,3个治疗组DN大鼠尿mAlb、α1-MG较模型组明显减少（P〈0.01）,2个中药治疗组的上述4项指标亦较对照组降低（P〈0.05-0.01）,且呈剂量依赖性。模型组大鼠Scr、BUN亦较假手术组显著升高（P〈0.01）,对照组与模型组相比无明显变化（P〉0.05）,但2个中药治疗组较模型组明显降低（P〈0.05-0.01）。 HE染色显示,3个治疗组大鼠肾组织病理损害明显减轻,2个中药治疗组大鼠肾组织病理改善比对照组更明显；PAS染色进行TII评分发现,3个治疗组大鼠TII显著低于模型组（P〈0.01）,2个中药治疗组TII明显低于对照组（P〈0.05-0.01）；Masson染色观察发现,3个实验组大鼠肾小管间质病变明显轻于模型组,2个中药治疗组大鼠肾小管间质病变轻于对照组；免疫组化法染色并对其灰度值测定发现,3个治疗组大鼠TGF-β1、Smad2在肾组织的表达低于模型组（P〈0.01）,2个中药治疗组大鼠TGF-β1、Smad2在肾组织的表达低于对照组（P〈0.05-0.01）；3个治疗组大鼠BMP-7、Smad7在肾脏组织的表达高于模型组（P〈0.01）,2个中药治疗组大鼠BMP-7、Smad7在肾组织的表达高于对照组（P〈0.05-0.01）。结论：芪蛭降糖胶囊可能通过干预BMP-7/TGF-β1/Smads信号转导通路抑制了TGF-β1信号的细胞内转导,而对DN肾间质纤维化起到治疗作用。

BMP-7介导的间叶-上皮转化与器官纤维化研究进展

纤维化是各种器官慢性损伤的共同结果。研究发现上皮-间叶转化(EMT)可能是导致多种器官纤维化的潜在机制。目前认为转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)能诱导EMT,促进器官纤维化,而骨形态发生蛋白-7(BMP-7)可通过拮抗TGF-β的作用,诱导间叶-上皮转化,改善多种器官纤维化。然而,至今BMP-7的抗纤维化分子机制仍不清楚,对其进行深入研究具有重要意义,可能提供一种纤维化疾病的新治疗手段。

BMP-7过表达抑制大鼠肝星状细胞上皮-间叶转化

目的观察慢病毒介导的BMP-7高表达是否能抑制大鼠HSC-T6细胞发生上皮-间叶转化(epithelial to mesenchymal tran-sition,EMT),并能拮抗TGF-β1的促EMT作用。方法构建大鼠BMP-7慢病毒表达载体,体外感染HSC-T6细胞株,将成功感染BMP-7重组慢病毒的细胞给予TGF-β1(5 ng/mL)或溶酶体处理。Real-time PCR检测α-SMA、S100A4、E-cadherin mRNA转录水平。Western blotting检测α-SMA、S100A4、E-cadherin、Ⅰ型胶原蛋白表达水平。结果 BMP-7慢病毒感染HSC-T6后,无论TGF-β1存在与否,real-time PCR检测到α-SMA、S100A4 mRNA转录下调,E-cadherin转录上调。Western blotting显示α-SMA、S100A4及Ⅰ型胶原蛋白表达下调,E-cadherin蛋白表达上调。实验组与空病毒对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),空病毒对照组与空白组比较,差异无统计学意义。结论 BMP-7能有效拮抗TGF-β1对HSC-T6的促EMT作用,可能成为肝纤维化治疗的新途径。

肾病综合征患儿血清TGF-β1、CTGF、BMP-7检测的临床意义

目的检测原发性肾病综合征(primary nephrotic syndrome,PNS)患儿血清转化生长因子β1(transforminggrowth factorβ1,TGF-β1)、结缔组织生长因子(connective tissue growth factor,CTGF)、骨形态发生蛋白-7(bone mor-phogenetic protein-7,BMP-7)水平,探讨三者水平与治疗效应的关系。方法酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme-linked immu-nosorbent assay,ELISA)方法,测定44例接受治疗的PNS患儿治疗前及缓解后血清TGF-β1、CTGF、BMP-7水平;并与20例对照组相比较。结果与对照组相比,26例激素敏感组治疗前TGF-β1显著升高(P<0.01),治疗后TGF-β1、治疗前及治疗后CTGF、BMP-7无统计学差异(P>0.05);18例激素耐药组治疗前后TGF-β1水平均升高(P<0.05),治疗前CTGF及BMP-7无统计学差异,治疗后CTGF显著升高(P<0.01),治疗后BMP-7显著降低(P<0.01)。与激素敏感组相比,激素耐药组治疗前TGF-β1、CTGF及BMP-7无统计学差异,治疗后TGF-β1及CTGF升高(P<0.05或P<0.01),BMP-7显著降低(P<0.01)。与治疗前相比,激素敏感组治疗后TGF-β1显著下降(P<0.01),CTGF及BMP-7无明显变化;激素耐药组治疗后CTGF显著升高(P<0.01),BMP-7显著降低(P<0.01)。18例激素耐药型患儿免疫抑制剂治疗治疗后10例病情完全缓解,8例未完全缓解,完全缓解组TGF-β1、CTGF水平较未完全缓解组下降(P<0.05),而BMP水平明显上升(P<0.01)。TGF-β1、CTGF、BMP-7、TGF-β1/BMP-7与尿蛋白定量无显著相关性(r=0.12、0.11、-0.24、0.13,P均>0.05)。CTGF/BMP-7与尿蛋白密切相关(r=0.54,P<0.05)。结论血清TGF-β1、CTGF及BMP-7水平可作为反映PNS病情、评价治疗效应的预测指标。

Three-dimensional bioprinting of multicell-laden scaffolds containing bone morphogenic protein-4 for promoting M2 macrophage polarization and accelerating bone defect repair in diabetes mellitus

Critical-sized bone defect repair in patients with diabetes mellitus remains a challenge in clinical treatment because of dysfunction of macrophage polarization and the inflammatory microenvironment in the bone defect region.Three-dimensional(3D)bioprinted scaffolds loaded with live cells and bioactive factors can improve cell viability and the inflammatory microenvironment and further accelerating bone repair.Here,we used modified bioinks comprising gelatin,gelatin methacryloyl(GelMA),and 4-arm poly(ethylene glycol)acrylate(PEG)to fabricate 3D bioprinted scaffolds containing BMSCs,RAW264.7 macrophages,and BMP-4-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles(MSNs).Addition of MSNs effectively improved the mechanical strength of GelMA/gelatin/PEG scaffolds.Moreover,MSNs sustainably released BMP-4 for long-term effectiveness.In 3D bioprinted scaffolds,BMP-4 promoted the polarization of RAW264.7 to M2 macrophages,which secrete anti-inflammatory factors and thereby reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory factors.BMP-4 released from MSNs and BMP-2 secreted from M2 macrophages collectively stimulated the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in the 3D bioprinted scaffolds.Furthermore,in calvarial critical-size defect models of diabetic rats,3D bioprinted scaffolds loaded with MSNs/BMP-4 induced M2 macrophage polarization and improved the inflammatory microenvironment.And 3D bioprinted scaffolds with MSNs/BMP-4,BMSCs,and RAW264.7 cells significantly accelerated bone repair.In conclusion,our results indicated that implanting 3D bioprinted scaffolds containing MSNs/BMP-4,BMSCs,and RAW264.7 cells in bone defects may be an effective method for improving diabetic bone repair,owing to the direct effects of BMP-4 on promoting osteogenesis of BMSCs and regulating M2 type macrophage polarization to improve the inflammatory microenvironment and secrete BMP-2.

Effects of Houttuynia Cordata Thumb on Expression of BMP-7 and TGF-β_1 in the Renal Tissues of Diabetic Rats

Objective： To explore the effects of Houttuynia Cordata Thumb （HCT 鱼腥草 Yu Xing Cao） on expression of transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1） and bone morphogenetic protein-7 （BMP-7） in the renal tissues of diabetic rats. Methods： The diabetic rats induced by intravenous injection of streptozotocin（STZ） were randomly divided into a model group, a HCT group and a lotensin group, with normal rats designated as the controls. 8 weeks later, the ratio of kidney weight to body weight, the glomerular area, the excretion of β 2-microglobin （β2-MG） in 24-hr urine, the albumin excretion in 24-hr urine, and creatinine clearance rate （CCR） were investigated. The expression of TGF- β 1, BMP-7 and collagen I in the renal tissues was observed with the immunohistochemical method and by the semi-quantitative assay. Results： The overgrowth of glomerulus, the excretion of β 2-MG in 24-hr urine, the albumin excretion rate in 24-hr urine and CCR in the HCT group significantly reduced （P〈0.05）, and the expression of TGF-β1 and collagen I significantly decreased （P〈0.05）, but BMP-7 significantly increased （P〈0.05） in the HCT group as compared with those in the model group, with no significant difference as compared with the lotensin group （P〉0.05）. Conclusion： HCT has a protective effect on the renal tissues in diabetic rats, which is probably correlated with the decrease of the expression of TGF-β1 and collagen I and with the increase of the expression of BMP-7 in the renal tissues.

Expression of BMP-7 and its receptors in renal tubolo-interstitial fibrosis induced with unilateral ureteral obstruction in rats

Objective:To study the changes of the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-7(BMP-7) and its receptors(BMPR-Ⅱ,ALK2,ALK3 and ALK6) in the renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis induced with unilateral ureteral obstruction in rats. Methods: Sixty Wistar male rats were divided randomly into the normal control,sham-operation and unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) groups and the rats were killed on the 1st,3rd,7th and 14th postoperative days respectively.The mRNA level of BMP-7,BMPR-Ⅱ,ALK2,ALK3 and ALK6 was determined with RT-PCR.The site and level of protein expression of BMP-7 were observed with immunohistochemical staining. Results: The mRNA level of BMP-7,BMPR-Ⅱ,ALK2 and ALK3 was significantly decreased in the rats of UUO group than in those of the sham-operation group but the mRNA level of ALK6 showed no obvious changes in all the rats.Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the protein of BMP-7 was mainly expressed in the renal tubules and interstitial tissue of the kidneys in normal rats but it was decreased gradually along with the unilateral ureteral obstruction. Conclusion: It is found that the loss of BMP-7 and its receptors including BMPR-Ⅱ,ALK2 and ALK3 occurs in the early phase of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis before the appearance of other pathological changes in the kidney and may play an important role in the occurrence and progress of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

Role of BMP-7 and TGF-β_1 expression in renal tubulo-interstitial lesion of Wistar rats induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction

Objective: To explore the role of bone morphorgenetic protein-7 （BMP-7） in the renal tubulo-interstitial lesions induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction （UUO）. Methods: Sixty Wistar rats were equally and randomly divided into normal control, sham operation and UUO groups, and respectively sacrificed on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th day after the time of UUO operation. The mRNA levels of BMP-7 and TGF-β1 in the renal tissues were examined by RT-PCR. The expression sites and levels of BMP-7 and TGF-β1 proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry staining. Results:Compared to control groups, the level of BMP-7 mRNA was significantly decreased, but that of TGF-β1 mRNA was significantly increased in UUO rats. Immunohistochemistry staining indicated that BMP-7 mainly expressed in the renal tubules and interstitum, rarely in the glomeruli. In UUO rats, the expression of BMP-7 protein was decreased, but that of TGF-β1 was increased in an obstruction dependent manner. Conclusion:The down- regulation of BMP-7 is observed in the early phase of fibrotic process of the renal interstitium, suggesting it may be involved in the formation and development of the tubulo-interstitial lesions.

Therapeutic effects of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells against acute tubular necrosis quantified through measures of iNOS, BMP-7 and Bcl-2

Introduction: Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is the most prevalent cause of acute renal failure (ARF). Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation has been studied as a potential treatment for renal dysfunction due to ATN. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) are surrogate markers of renal tubular epithelial regeneration and subsequent recovery of renal function following ATN. Methods: Serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), as well as expression of iNOS, BMP-7 and Bcl-2 in gentamycin-induced ATN rat kidneys was investigated after human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell (HUC-MSC) transplantation. Immunohistochemical staining was performed in 3 groups of rats: gentamycin-induced ATN treated with HUC-MSC, gentamycin-induced ATN without HUC-MSC, and untreated rats not receiving any treatments. Results: HUC-MSC transplantation led to a reduction in Scr and BUN in the kidneys of rats with gentamycin-induced ATN. Expression of iNOS in the HUC-MSC treated group occurred later and the expression levels were much lower during gentamycin-induced ATN compared to rats with ATN that were not treated with HUC-MSC. The expression of BMP-7 and Bcl-2 in the MSC-transplanted group was significantly increased compared to both control groups of rats with injured and healthy renal tubules. Conclusions: HUC-MSCs induce renal protection in a rat model of gentamycin-induced ATN, which is associated with reduced iNOS expression and up-regulation of Bcl-2 and BMP-7.

益肾养阴活血通络方治疗糖尿病肾病临床研究

目的:观察益肾养阴活血通络方治疗糖尿病肾病的临床疗效。方法:将收治的符合纳入标准的112例糖尿病肾病患者作为临床研究对象,按随机数字表法将所有患者分为2组各56例。2组均给予基础治疗,对照组在基础治疗上给予盐酸贝那普利片,研究组在对照组治疗方案的基础上给予益肾养阴活血通络方治疗,2组均连续治疗后12周后观察临床疗效,观察比较尿白蛋白排泄率(UAER)、尿β_(2)微球蛋白(β_(2)-MG)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)及骨形态发生蛋白-7 (BMP-7)水平。结果:临床疗效总有效率研究组92.86%,高于对照组75.00%,2组临床总有效率比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后,2组UAER、β_(2)-MG、VEGF水平均较治疗前下降,且研究组低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。2组BMP-7水平均较治疗前上升,且研究组高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:益肾养阴活血通络方治疗糖尿病肾病的临床效果良好,可降低UAER及β_(2)-MG,改善患者细胞因子表达。