Bone morphogenetic protein-6 suppresses TGF-β_(2)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in retinal pigment epithelium

AIM:To evaluate the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-6(BMP-6)on transforming growth factor(TGF)-β_(2)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in retinal pigment epithelium(RPE).METHODS:Adult retinal pigment epithelial cell line(ARPE-19)were randomly divided into control,TGF-β_(2)(5μg/L),and BMP-6 small interfering RNA(siRNA)group.The cell morphology was observed by microscopy,and the cell migration ability were detected by Transwell chamber.The EMT-related indexes and BMP-6 protein levels were detected by Western blotting.Furthermore,a BMP-6 overexpression plasmid was constructed and RPE cells were divided into the control group,TGF-β_(2)+empty plasmid group,BMP-6 overexpression group,and TGF-β_(2)+BMP-6 overexpression group.The EMT-related indexes and extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK)protein levels were detected.RESULTS:Compared with the control group,the migration of RPE cells in the TGF-β_(2) group was significantly enhanced.TGF-β_(2) increased the protein expression levels ofα-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),fibronectin and vimentin but significantly decreased the protein levels of E-cadherin and BMP-6(P<0.05)in RPE.Similarly,the migration of RPE cells in the BMP-6 siRNA group was also significantly enhanced.BMP-6 siRNA increased the protein expression levels ofα-SMA,fibronectin and vimentin but significantly decreased the protein expression levels of E-cadherin(P<0.05).Overexpression of BMP-6 inhibited the migration of RPE cells induced by TGF-β_(2) and prevented TGF-β_(2) from affecting EMT-related biomarkers(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:BMP-6 prevents the EMT in RPE cells induced by TGF-β_(2),which may provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Alendronate disturbs femoral growth due to changes during immunolocalization of transforming growth factor-β1 and bone morphogenetic protein-2 in epiphyseal plate

BACKGROUND The epiphyseal growth plate is an important anatomical segment localized on the ends of a long bone.Despite the abovementioned atractive reasons for alendronate’s use,few data on the effect of alendronate during epiphyseal growth exist.AIM Verify the effect of alendronate on the growth epiphyseal plate,and compare its effect with the size of the femur during the double-staining of the immunolocalization of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)and bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP2)in endochondral ossifing in specimens that have received alendronate.METHODS Forty newborn rats were randomly divided into two groups:a control group(were given applications of 1 mg/kg physiologic saline)and a group that received Alendronate(a dose of 2.5 mg/kg).These groups were then divided into two subgroups for euthanasia in two and 12 d of life.After euthanasia,the femurs were removed,and the femoral bones were measured linearly between the apex of the greater trochanter until the lower intercondylar midlle face to verify the probable bone growth between 3 and 12 d in control and alednroanto treated rats.Posteriorly,the surgical pieces were also sent to the histopathology laboratory to produce histological slides.The obtained slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to measure each of the cartilage zones in endochondral development.and other slides were immunohistochemically tested for anti-TGF-β1 and BMP-2 antibodies to investigate the immunolocalization of these proteins in the epiphyseal plaque area.RESULTS On the third day,some diferences between the control group and specimens treated with alendronate were verified.Macroscopiccaly,we found similarities in size between the femoral bones when we compared the control group with the specimens that received alendronate.On the 12^th day,the bone size of the mice receiving the drug was significantly smaller than those of the control group.These results coincide with changes in the TGF-β1 and BMP-2 expression.In the specimens that received alendronate,the TGF-β1 was expressed in some sites of trabecular bone that was neoformed,peripherally to the bone marrow area.The BMP-2 was also positive in proliferative chondrocytes and hypertrofic chondrocytes.On the 12^th day,all layers of chondrocytes exhibited positivity for BMP-2 in the specimens that received alendronate.In the interface between the trabecular bone and cartilage,an area of disorganized bone deposition was evident.Neoformed bone also appeared to be different at 12 d.In the control group,BMP-2 was positive in an intense area of bone trabeculae,whereas the alendronate-treated group showed TGF-β1 positive trabeculae and a greater bone area.CONCLUSION Alendronate alters the immunolocalization of TGF-β1 and BMP-2 simultaneously,a condition that changes the usual histological aspects of the cartilage zone and impairs epiphysis growth and femur growth.

Three-dimensional kagome structures in a PCL/HA-based hydrogel scaffold to lead slow BMP-2 release for effective bone regeneration

Osteoconductive function is remarkably low in bone disease in the absence of bone tissue surrounding the grafting site,or if the bone tissue is in poor condition.Thus,an effective bone graft in terms of both osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity is required for clinical therapy.Recently,the three-dimensional(3D)kagome structure has been shown to be advantageous for bone tissue regeneration due to its mechanical properties.In this study,a polycaprolactone(PCL)kagome-structure scaffold containing a hyaluronic acid(HA)-based hydrogel was fabricated using a 3D printing technique.The retention capacity of the hydrogel in the scaffold was assessed in vivo with a rat calvaria subcutaneous model for 3 weeks,and the results were compared with those obtained with conventional 3D-printed PCL grid-structure scaffolds containing HA-based hydrogel and bulk-type HA-based hydrogel.The retained hydrogel in the kagome-structure scaffold was further evaluated by in vivo imaging system analysis.To further reinforce the osteoinductivity of the kagome-structure scaffold,a PCL kagome-structure scaffold with bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP-2)containing HA hydrogel was fabricated and implanted in a calvarial defect model of rabbits for 16 weeks.The bone regeneration characteristics were evaluated with hematoxylin and eosin(H&E),Masson’s trichrome staining,and micro-CT image analysis.

Drilling Combined with Adipose-derived Stem Cells and Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 to Treat Femoral Head Epiphyseal Necrosis in Juvenile Rabbits

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of drilling through the growth plate and using adipose-derived stem cells （ADSCs） and bone morphogenetic protein-2 （BMP-2） to treat femoral head epiphyseal ischemic necrosis, which can be done in juvenile rabbits. Passagefour bromodeoxyuridine （BrdU）-labeled ADSCs were cultured, assayed with MTT to determine their viability and stained with alizarin red dye to determine their osteogenic ability. Twomonth-old, healthy male rabbits （1.2 to 1.4 kg, n=45） underwent ischemic induction and were randomly divided into five groups （group A： animal model control; group B： drilling; group C： drilling ＆ ADSCs; group D： drilling ＆ BMP-2; and group E： drilling ＆ ADSCs ＆ BMP-2）. Magnetic resonance imaging （MRI）, X-ray imaging, hematoxylin and eosin staining and BrdU immunofluorescence detection were applied 4, 6 and 10 weeks after treatment. Approximately 90% of the ADSCs were labeled with BrdU and showed good viability and osteogenic ability. Similar results were observed in the rabbits in groups C and E at weeks 6 and 10. The animals of groups C and E demonstrated normal hip structure and improved femoral epiphyseal quotients and trabecular areas compared with those of the groups A and B （P〈0.01）. Group D demonstrated improved femoral epiphyseal quotients and trabecular areas compared with those of groups A and B （P〈0.05）. In summary, drilling through the growth plate combined with ADSC and BMP-2 treatments induced new bone formation and protected the femoral head epiphysis from collapsing in a juvenile rabbit model of femoral head epiphyseal ischemic necrosis.

Use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in spine surgery

Bone morphogenetic proteins are osteoinductive factors which have gained popularity in orthopaedicsurgery and especially in spine surgery. The use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 has been officially approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration only for single level anterior lumbar interbody fusion, nevertheless it is widely used by many surgeons with off-label indications. Despite advantages in bone formation, its use still remains a controversial issue and several complications have been described by authors who oppose their wide use.

Effect of dopamine on bone morphogenesis protein-2 expression in human retinal pigment epithelium

AIM：To investigate the effect of dopamine on bone morphogenesis protein-2（BMP-2）expression in retinal pigment epithelium（RPE）cells in vitro.METHODS：ARPE-19 cells as a human RPE cell line were cultured with dopamine for different times（2,4,6,8,12,16and 24h）or with different concentrations（0.1,1,2,5,10,20,and 100μg/m L）in vitro.BMP-2 m RNA expression level in ARPE-19 cells was analyzed with real-time polymerase chain reaction（PCR）analysis and BMP-2 protein level was measured with Western blot analysis.The active form of BMP-2 in the culture medium was measured with enzymelinked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）.RESULTS：The expression level of BMP-2 increased significantly cultured with 20μg/m L dopamine,at different time points（P〈0.05）.BMP-2 m RNA level peaked 2h and the protein level peaked at 6 and 8h after treatment.The concentrations of secreted BMP-2 elevated at 12h and peaked at 24h（P〈0.05）in a time-dependent manner.Treated with 100μg/m L dopamine for 6h,the expression levels of BMP-2 m RNA and protein in ARPE-19 cells were enhanced significantly compared to that in the untreated cells（P〈0.05）.And secreted BMP-2 protein in the cell culture supernatant was also increased（P〈0.05）.CONCLUSION：Dopamine up-regulate BMP-2 expression in RPE cells,and this may be associated with its inhibitive effect on myopia development.

The Effect of Simvastatin on mRNA Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-β1,Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Tooth Extraction Socket

Aim To determine the effect of local simvastatin application on the mRNA expression level of transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1）, bone morphogenetic protein-2 （BMP-2） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in the tooth sockets of rat. Methodology Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into experimental and control groups （n=24）. Polylactic acid/polyglycolic acid copolymer carriers, with or without simvastatin, were implanted into extraction sockets of right mandibular incisors. The expression of TGF-β1, BMP-2 and VEGF mRNA was determined by in situ hybridization in the tooth extraction socket at five days, one week, two weeks and four weeks after implantation. Results The fusiform stroma cells in the tooth extraction socket began to express TGF-β1, BMP-2 and VEGF mRNA in both experimental and control groups from one week after tooth extraction until the end of experiment. The expression of TGF-131 and BMP-2 mRNA in the experimental group was significantly up-regulated after one, two and four weeks, and expression of VEGF mRNA was significantly increased after one and two weeks compared with that in the control group. Conclusion The findings indicate that local administration of simvastatin can influence alveolar bone remodeling by regulating the expression of a school of growth factors which are crucial to osteogenesis in the tooth extraction socket.

Regulation of scleral fibroblast differentiation by bone morphogenetic protein-2

Bone morphogenesis proteins(BMPs) are multi-functional growth factors. They are expressed in retina,retinal pigment epithelium(RPE) and sclera and serve as a regulator in the growth and development of the eye. This article reviewed the chondrogenic potency of the sclera,biochemical and pathological changes of myopic scleral tissue and the differentiation of chondrogenesis by BMP-2. We proposed the hypothesis that BMP-2 can regulate differentiate of scleral fibroblasts and affect the development of myopia.

Implantation of xenogeneic bone combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 into bone defect—An scanning electron microscopic study

To determine the ability of a new type of composite xenogeneic bone grafting to repair bone defect. Methods: The new type of composite xenogeneic bone was obtained by combining the chemically treated cance1lous bone with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2). It was implanted on the bone defect of rabbit. Results: There was a large amount of new bone formation within the combined material and the amount was increasing as the time elapsed. In contrast, there was a lot of fibrous tissue with a little new bone formed on the area of the bone defect when the treated cancellous bone was implanted alone. Conclusion: The results imply that the rhBMP-2 plays a very important role in new bone formation and the composite xenogeneic bone appear to be an ideal material for repair of bone defect.

Expression of mature peptide of human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in Escherichia coli

To express die mature peptide of human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in Escherichia coil. Methods: TheDNA fragment encoding the mature peptide of human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (hBMP-2m) was inserted into expression vectorpDH in which foreign gene was controlled by PRPL promoters. E. coli DH5a transformed with recombinant plasmid pDHB2m wasinduced at 42℃to express the target protein. The expressed product was partially purified and refolded, and then implanted intorat thigh muscles to assay its bone inductive activity. Results: After induction, a protein band on SDS-PAGE gel with an apparentmol. wt. of 13kD was observed to anticipate in the strain carrying pDHB2m, but not in the control. The expressed hBMP-2m accounted for 45%-60% of the total bacterial protein. The expressed product existed in a form of inclusion body. After partially purified and refolded, rhBMP-2m could induce the formation of cartilage and bone tissue heterotopically. Conclusion: The maturepeptide of human bone morphogenetic protein-2 has ben successfully expressed in E. coli and the product has ectopic bone inductive activity.

Injectable bioactive polymethyl methacrylate-hydrogel hybrid bone cement loaded with BMP-2 to improve osteogenesis for percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty

Poly methyl methacrylate(PMMA)bone cement is used in augmenting and stabilizing fractured vertebral bodies through percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)and percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP).However,applications of PMMA bone cement are limited by the high elasticity modulus of PMMA,its low biodegradability,and its limited ability to regenerate bone.To improve PMMA bio activity and biodegradability and to modify its elasticity modulus,we mixed PMMA bone cement with oxidized hyaluronic acid and carboxymethyl chitosan in situ cross-linking hydrogel loaded with bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP-2)to achieve novel hybrid cement.These fabric ated PMMA-hydrogel hybrid cements exhibited lower setting temperatures,a lower elasticity modulus,and better biodegradability and biocompatibility than that of pure PMMA cement,while retaining acceptable setting times,mechanical strength,and inj ectability.In addition,we detected release of BMP-2 from the PMMA-hydrogel hybrid cements,significantly enhancing in vitro osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by up-regulating the gene expression of Runx2,Coll,and OPN.Use of PMMA-hydrogel hybrid cements loaded with BMP-2 on rabbit femoral condyle bone-defect models revealed their biodegradability and enhanced bone formation.Our study demonstrated the favorable mechanical properties,biocompatibility,and biodegradability of fabricated PMMA-hydrogel hybrid cements loaded with BMP-2,as well as their ability to improve osteogenesis,making them a promising material for use in PKP and PVP.

Synthesis and Characterization of UPPE-PLGA-rhBMP2 Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration

A novel unsaturated polyphosphoester(UPPE) was devised in our previous research,which is a kind of promising scaffold for improving bone regeneration.However,the polymerization process of UPPE scaffolds was unfavorable,which may adversely affect the bioactivity of osteoinductive molecules added if necessary,such as recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2(rhBMP2).The purpose of this study was to build a kind of optimal scaffold named UPPE-PLGA-rhBMP2(UPB) and to investigate the bioactivity of rhBMP2 in this scaffold.Furthermore,the cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of UPB scaffold was assessed in vitro.A W1/O/W2 method was used to fabricate PLGA-rhBMP2 microspheres,and then the microspheres were added to UPPE for synthesizing UPB scaffold.The morphological characters of PLGA-rhBMP2 microspheres and UPB scaffolds were observed under the scanning electron microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy.The cumulative release of UPB scaffolds was detected by using ELISA.The cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of UPB scaffolds were evaluated through examining the adsorption and apoptosis of bone marrow stromal cells(bMSCs) seeded on the surface of UPB scaffolds.The bioactivity of rhBMP2 in UPB scaffolds was assessed through measuring the alkaline phosphates(ALP) activity in bMSCs seeded.The results showed that UPB scaffolds sequentially exhibited burst and sustained release of rhBMP2.The cytotoxicity was greatly reduced when the scaffolds were immersed in buffer solution for 2 h.bMSCs attached and grew on the surface of soaked UPB scaffolds,exerting well biocompatibility.The ALP activity of bMSCs seeded was significantly enhanced,indicating that the bioactivity of rhBMP2 remained and still took effect after the unfavorable polymerization process of scaffolds.It was concluded that UPB scaffolds have low cytotoxicity,good biocompatibility and preserve bioactivity of rhBMP2.UPB scaffolds are promising in improving bone regeneration.

Bone Regeneration Enhanced by Antigen-Extracted Xenogeneic Cancellous Bone Graft with rhBMP-2 in Rabbits Mandibular Defect Repair

The effects of large piece xenogeneic bone which was separated from healthy pigs as a scaffold on repair of mandibular defect was investigated and the applicability of antigen-extracted xenogeneic cancellous bone (AXCB) soaked with rhBMP-2 in bone defect repair was assessed. Mandibular defects were created in 48 New Zealand Rabbits, and then randomly divided into 4 groups, which was grafted in the mandibular defects with AXCB, AXCB soaked with rhBMP-2, autograft bone, or blank. Equal number of animals from each group was classified into three time points (4, 8, and 12 weeks) after operation for gross pathological observation, hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) staining, radiographic examination, and bone density measurement. H & E staining revealed that the area percentage of bone regeneration in the group of AXCB/rhBMP-2 graft was 27.72 ± 4.68, 53.90 ± 21.92, and 77.35 ± 9.83 when at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, which was better than that of auto bone graft, prompting that the group of AXCB/rhBMP-2 graft had commendable osteogenic effect. And comparing with the AXCB without rhBMP-2, of which the area percentage of bone regeneration was only 14.03 ± 5.02, 28.49 ± 11.35, and 53.90 ± 21.92, the osteogenic effect of AXCB/rhBMP-2 graft was demonstrated to be much better. In the group of AXCB/rhBMP-2 graft, the area percentage of bone regeneration increased, and the implanted materials were gradually degraded and replaced by autogenous bone regeneration over time. We concluded that antigen-extracted xenogeneic cancellous bone (AXCB) graft soaked with rhBMP-2 had shown excellent osteogenic effect in repair of bone defects, with good biocompability.

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.

雷公藤多苷对强直性脊柱炎患者成纤维细胞中BMP-2表达的影响

目的:探讨雷公藤多苷(LGTDG)对骨形态发生蛋白(BMP)信号转导通路及BMP-2表达的影响,阐明LGTDG抗强直性脊柱炎(AS)骨化的作用机制。方法:体外培养的AS成纤维细胞分为对照组与0.5、1.0、1.5和2.0 mg·L-1给药组,检测各组细胞内碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性及最佳药物浓度;CCK-8法检测1.0mg·L-1给药组的细胞增殖率;生化检测法定量检测对照组与1.0 mg·L-1给药组BMP-2表达水平;Western blotting法检测对照组与1.0mg·L-1给药组BMP-2和Cbfal蛋白表达。结果:各给药组细胞中ALP活性均低于对照组,其中以1.0mg·L-1给药组细胞的ALP活性为最低(P<0.01)。CCK-8法检测,1.0mg·L-1给药组AS成纤维细胞增殖率明显低于对照组(P<0.01),LDTDG诱导第4天细胞增殖率最高,进入平台期后细胞的增殖率开始下降。生化检测法和Western blotting法检测,1.0mg·L-1给药组BMP-2的蛋白表达明显低于对照组(P<0.01)。结论:LGTDG通过对BMP信号转导通路的影响有效地抑制AS成纤维细胞内BMP-2表达,延缓细胞向成骨型分化导致AS骨化发生。

缺氧对成骨细胞VEGF和BMP-2表达的影响

目的 通过在缺氧条件下大鼠成骨细胞的培养 ,研究体外缺氧环境对成骨细胞血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和骨形态发生蛋白 - 2 (BMP - 2 )表达的影响 ,为临床骨缺损和骨折治疗等方面提供理论依据。方法从新生SD大鼠颅骨中分离成骨细胞进行培养 ,建立成骨细胞缺氧模型。用免疫组化等方法测量缺氧组和对照组VEGF、BMP - 2的表达。用计算机图像分析系统测量阳性细胞的平均灰度值 ,进行统计学分析。结果 缺氧组VEGF免疫组化染色阳性细胞的平均灰度均低于对照组 ,并随缺氧时间的增加而更加明显 (P <0 0 1) ;BMP - 2阳性细胞的平均灰度在缺氧前 12h低于对照组 ,后逐渐升高 (P <0 0 1) ,即随着缺氧时间的延长VEGF的表达逐渐增加 ,而BMP - 2的表达逐渐减少。结论 体外条件下缺氧可以抑制成骨细胞的增殖 ,成骨细胞表达VEGF增强 ,但抑制BMP - 2的表达。

Retrovirus-mediated transfer of the fusion gene encoding EGFP-BMP_2 in mesenchymal stem cells

Objective To develop retrovirus-mediated transfer of the fusion gene encoding EGFP-BMP_2 in mesenchymal stem cells.Methods Mesenchymal stem cells from New Zealand white rabbits were transduced with retroviral pLEGFP-BMP_2 vector by the optimized retroviral transduction protocol.Fluorescent microscopy's examination was to evaluate the results of the transduction,flow cytometer's analysis was to evaluate the transduction efficiency and the Fluorescence-activated cell sorting method was to sort the transduced cells.Bioactivity test from C_2C_12K_4 cells was to show the expression and bio-activity of the fusion gene.Results Fluorescent microscopy showed the success of the transduction.By flow cytometer's analysis,the mean efficiency of the transduction with EGFP was(42.8±6.1)% SD.Transduced cells were sorted efficiently by the fluorescence-activated cell sorting method and after sorting,almost of those showed the expression of BMP_2.Fluorescently and strongly bioactivity test for C_2C_12K_4 cells demonstrated that fluorescent materials were located the surface of cells and the activity of luciferase increased compared with the control.Analysis of long-term expression showed there was no difference between 2 week-time point and 3 month-time point of culture post-sorting.Conclusion Mesenchymal stem cells can be transduced efficiently by retrovirus-mediated transfer of the fusion gene encoding EGFP-BMP_2,the highly pure transduced cells are obtained by the fluorescence-activated cell sorting technique,the expressed chimeric protein embraced the double bioactivity of EGFP and BMP_2,and moreover,the expression had not attenuated over time.

Both Atorvastatin and Probucol Can Down-regulate BMP-2 Expression Induced by Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein in Human Umbilical Vein Cells

Objectives Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) plays an key role both in vascular development and pathophysiological processes. However, the mechanisms of oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and combinated with atorvastatin or probucol on BMP-2 expression are entirely unknown in human umbilical vein cells. Methods The HUVECs were treated by ox-LDL and combinated with atorvastatin, probucol. The expression of BMP-2, NF-κB65, PPARγ mRNA was examined by RT-PCR analysis and ELISA method. The MDA and SOD were detected by routine methods. Results Ox-LDL can induced BMP-2 mNRA expression, associated with NF-κB65 mNRA expression activation. Both atorvastatin and probucol can suppress BMP-2 and NF-κB65 expression induced by oxLDL and upregulate the expression of PPARγ. Furthermore, the increase of supernatant MDA levels and decrease of supernatant SOD levels resulted from oxLDL treatment can be reversed by probucol or atorvastatin. Conclusions OxLDL-induced BMP-2 mNRA expression can be suppressed by atorvastatin and probucol, which may be accomplished by activating NF-κB65 expression and upregulating the expression of PPARγ. Our findings also indicate that that BMP-2 mNRA expression includes the activation of reactive oxygen species.

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.