title: BMPs promote proliferation and migration of endothelial cells via stimulation of VEGF-A/VEGFR2 and angiopoietin-1/Tie2 signalling.
abstract: The differentiation, growth, and survival of endothelial cells (ECs) are regulated by multiple signalling pathways, such as vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and angiopoietins through their receptor tyrosine kinases, VEGF receptor (VEGFR) 2 and Tie2, respectively. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta family, have been implicated in the development and maintenance of vascular systems. However, their effects on EC proliferation remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we show that BMPs induce the proliferation and migration of mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived endothelial cells (MESECs) and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs). Addition of BMP-4 to culture induced significant proliferation and migration of both types of ECs. BMP-4 also increased the expression and phosphorylation of VEGFR2 and Tie2. These findings suggest that BMP signalling activates endothelium via activation of VEGF/VEGFR2 and Angiopoietin/Tie2 signalling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Montagne
authors.forename: Ayako
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nishihara
authors.forename: Tetsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watabe
authors.forename: Kohei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miyazono
mesh_terms: D042683:Angiopoietin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D042683:Angiopoietin-1; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2