BMP4 Induces Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy Through the Activation of ERK 1/2 Signaling Pathway in H9c2 Cells

Abstract

Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4) is a member of the bone morphogenetic protein family which plays an important role in bone formation, inflammation and cardiac hypertrophy. The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism that BMP4-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. H9c2 cells were used to measure cell surface area and protein synthesis. Western blot was used to examine hypertrophic marker brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) protein expression and phosphorylation of ERK1/2. The results exhibited that cell surface area, protein synthesis and BNP protein expression were increased with BMP4 treatment. While PD98059 inhibited these effects of BMP4. In addition, BMP4 treatment increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in a time-and dose-dependent manner. PD98059 treatment decreased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 that was increased by BMP4. These results suggest that BMP4 induces cardiomyocyte hypertrophy through the activation of ERK1/2 cell signaling pathway.

Renal developmental genes are differentially regulated after unilateral ureteral obstruction in neonatal and adult mice

“…BMP4 has been found to play a crucial role in wound healing response and thymic regeneration 52 , 53 ; it triggers pulmonary vascular remodeling and supports self-renewal of embryonic stem cells 54 , 55 , emphasizing its importance for regenerative processes. BMP4 is linked to pathological cardiac hypertrophy through activation of proliferation pathways 56 , 57 ; thus, it may also contribute to compensatory renal growth. In our study BMP4 did not co-localize to Ki67 positive proliferating cells in the intact opposite kidney of neonatal mice, suggesting that BMP4 mediates nephron hypertrophy without stimulating proliferation.…”