A chemically adjustable BMP6-IL6 axis in mesenchymal stem cells drives acute myeloid leukemia cell differentiation.

Chemotherapy alone or in combination with allogeneic stem cell transplantation has been the standard of care for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) for decades. Leukemia relapse with limited treatment options remains the main cause of treatment failure. Therefore, an effective and safe approach to improve treatment outcomes is urgently needed for most AML patients. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to efficiently induce apoptosis and shape the fate of acute myeloid leukemia cells. Here, we identified LG190155 as a potent compound that enhances the antileukemia efficiency of MSCs. Pretreatment of MSCs with LG190155 significantly provoked differentiation in both AML patient-derived primary leukemia cells and AML cell lines and reduced the tumor burden in the AML mouse model. Using the quantitative proteomic technique, we discovered a pivotal mechanism that mediates AML cell differentiation, in which autocrine bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) in MSCs boosted IL-6 secretion and further acted on leukemic cells to trigger differentiation. Furthermore, the activity of the BMP6-IL6 axis was dramatically enhanced by activating vitamin D receptor (VDR) in MSCs. Our data illustrated an effective preactivated approach to reinforcing the antileukemia effect of MSCs, which could serve as an effective therapeutic strategy for AML.

Tricetin suppresses the cell migration and BMP-6 expression through p38 signaling pathways in human retinal pigment epithelium cells.

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a visual-threatening disease, which cause from the migration of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Tricetin, a family of flavonoids, can inhibit the metastasis of several cancers. Herein, we aim to evaluate the possible effect of tricetin on inhibiting ARPE-19 cells migration. The Boyden chamber assay, wound healing assay, RNA sequencing, and Western blot analysis were applied in our experiment. The results revealed that tricetin inhibited the cell migration abilities of ARPE-19 cells. Moreover, using RNA sequencing technology, we revealed that tricetin repressed bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6) gene expressions in ARPE-19 cells. Overexpression of BMP-6 resulted in significant restoration of cell migration capabilities of tricetin-treated ARPE-19 cells. Furthermore, tricetin suppressed the phosphorylation of the p38 signaling pathway. Moreover, blocking the p38 pathway also inhibits BMP-6 expression and migration in the ARPE-19 cells. In conclusion, this study revealed that tricetin inhibits the ARPE-19 cell migration mainly via the suppression of BMP-6 expression and p38 signaling pathway.

Silibinin is a suppressor of the metastasis-promoting transcription factor ID3.

BACKGROUND: ID3 (inhibitor of DNA binding/differentiation-3) is a transcription factor that enables metastasis by promoting stem cell-like properties in endothelial and tumor cells. The milk thistle flavonolignan silibinin is a phytochemical with anti-metastatic potential through largely unknown mechanisms. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: We have mechanistically investigated the ability of silibinin to inhibit the aberrant activation of ID3 in brain endothelium and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) models. METHODS: Bioinformatic analyses were performed to investigate the co-expression correlation between ID3 and bone morphogenic protein (BMP) ligands/BMP receptors (BMPRs) genes in NSCLC patient datasets. ID3 expression was assessed by immunoblotting and qRT-PCR. Luciferase reporter assays were used to evaluate the gene sequences targeted by silibinin to regulate ID3 transcription. In silico computational modeling and LanthaScreen TR-FRET kinase assays were used to characterize and validate the BMPR inhibitory activity of silibinin. Tumor tissues from NSCLC xenograft models treated with oral silibinin were used to evaluate the in vivo anti-ID3 effects of silibinin. RESULTS: Analysis of lung cancer patient datasets revealed a top-ranked positive association of ID3 with the BMP9 endothelial receptor ACVRL1/ALK1 and the BMP ligand BMP6. Silibinin treatment blocked the BMP9-induced activation of the ALK1-phospho-SMAD1/5-ID3 axis in brain endothelial cells. Constitutive, acquired, and adaptive expression of ID3 in NSCLC cells were all significantly downregulated in response to silibinin. Silibinin blocked ID3 transcription via BMP-responsive elements in ID3 gene enhancers. Silibinin inhibited the kinase activities of BMPRs in the micromolar range, with the lower IC50 values occurring against ACVRL1/ALK1 and BMPR2. In an in vivo NSCLC xenograft model, tumoral overexpression of ID3 was completely suppressed by systematically achievable oral doses of silibinin. CONCLUSIONS: ID3 is a largely undruggable metastasis-promoting transcription factor. Silibinin is a novel suppressor of ID3 that may be explored as a novel therapeutic approach to interfere with the metastatic dissemination capacity of NSCLC.

Endothelial ZIP8 plays a minor role in BMP6 regulation by iron in mice.

ABSTRACT: Iron-mediated induction of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)6 expression by liver endothelial cells is essential for iron homeostasis regulation. We used multiple dietary and genetic mouse cohorts to demonstrate a minor functional role for the metal-ion transporter ZIP8 in regulating BMP6 expression under high-iron conditions.

BMP6 and VDR gene polymorphisms are associated with osteonecrosis in a sickle cell anaemia cohort.

The occurrence and severity of osteonecrosis in sickle cell anaemia (SCA) vary due to risk factors, including genetic modifiers. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), particularly BMP6, and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) play key roles in cartilage and bone metabolism, making them potential contributors to orthopaedic outcomes in SCA. Here, we evaluated the association of polymorphisms in BMP6 (rs3812163, rs270393 and rs449853) and VDR (FokI rs2228570 and Cdx2 rs11568820) genes with osteonecrosis risk in a Brazilian SCA cohort. A total of 177 unrelated SCA patients were selected. The AA genotype of BMP6 rs3812163 was independently associated with a lower osteonecrosis risk (p = 0.015; odds ratio (OR): 0.38; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.18-0.83) and with the long-term cumulative incidence of osteonecrosis (p = 0.029; hazard ratio: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34-0.94). The VDR rs2228570 TT genotype was independently associated with a lower osteonecrosis risk (p = 0.039; OR: 0.14; 95% CI: 0.02-0.90). In summary, our results provide evidence that BMP6 rs3812163 and the VDR rs2228570 might be implicated in osteonecrosis pathophysiology in SCA and might help identify individuals at high risk.

miR-206a-3p suppresses the proliferation and differentiation of chicken chondrocytes in tibial dyschondroplasia by targeting BMP6.

The poultry skeletal system serves multiple functions, not only providing structural integrity but also maintaining the balance of essential minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. However, in recent years, the consideration of skeletal traits has been overlooked in the selective breeding of broilers, resulting in an inadequate adaptation of the skeletal system to cope with the rapid increase in body weight. Consequently, this leads to lameness and bone diseases such as tibial dyschondroplasia (TD), which significantly impact the production performance of broilers. Accumulating evidence has shown that microRNAs (miRNA) play a crucial role in the differentiation, formation, and disease of cartilage. However, the miRNA-mediated molecular mechanism underlying chicken TD formation is still poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the biological function and regulatory mechanism of miRNA in chicken TD formation. Based on transcriptome sequencing of tibial cartilage in the healthy group and TD group, miR-206a-3p was found to be highly expressed in TD cartilage. The function of miR-206a-3p was explored through the transfection test of miR-206a-3p mimics and miR-206a-3p inhibitor. In this study, we utilized qRT-PCR, CCK-8, EdU, western blot, and flow cytometry to detect the proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of chondrocytes. The results revealed that miR-206a-3p suppressed the proliferation and differentiation of TD chondrocytes while promoting their programmed cell death. Furthermore, through biosynthesis and dual luciferase assays, it was determined that BMP6 was the direct target gene of miR-206a-3p. This finding was further supported by rescue experiments which confirmed the involvement of BMP6 in the regulatory pathway governed by miR-206a-3p. Our results suggest that miR-206a-3p can inhibits the proliferation and differentiation promote apoptosis through the target gene BMP-6 and suppressing the Smad2/3 signaling pathway in chicken TD chondrocytes.

Bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) antagonises experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy established by TGF-ß2 stimulation in retinal pigment epithelial cells through modulation of the p38 and JNK MAPK pathways.

The formation of the epiretinal fibrotic membrane by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is a primary pathological change for proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) is an antifibrogenic factor in various cells. To date, it is still unknown whether BMP6 can interfere with the fibrogenesis of RPE cells during the progression of PVR. This work aimed to address the relationship between BMP6 and transforming growth factor-ß2 (TGF-ß2)-elicited fibrogenesis of RPE cells, an experimental model for studying PVR in vitro. The BMP6 level was down-regulated, while the TGF-ß2 level was up-regulated in the vitreous humor of PVR patients. The BMP6 level was down-regulated in human RPE cells challenged with TGF-ß2. The treatment of RPE cells with TGF-ß2 resulted in significant increases in proliferation, migration, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling. These effects were found to be inhibited by the overexpression of BMP6 or exacerbated by the knockdown of BMP6. BMP6 overexpression reduced the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK in TGF-ß2-stimulated RPE cells, while BMP6 knockdown showed the opposite effects. The inhibition of p38 or JNK partially reversed the BMP6-silencing-induced promoting effects on TGF-ß2-elicited fibrogenesis in RPE cells. Taken together, BMP6 demonstrates the ability to counteract the proliferation, migration, EMT, and ECM remodelling of RPE cells induced by TGF-ß2. This is achieved through the regulation of the p38 and JNK MAPK pathways. These findings imply a potential connection between BMP6 and PVR, and highlight the potential application of BMP6 in therapeutic interventions for PVR.

Iron-triggered signaling via ETS1 and the p38/JNK MAPK pathway regulates Bmp6 expression.

BMP6 is an iron-sensing cytokine whose transcription in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) is enhanced by high iron levels, a step that precedes the induction of the iron-regulatory hormone hepcidin. While several reports suggested a cell-autonomous induction of Bmp6 by iron-triggered signals, likely via sensing of oxidative stress by the transcription factor NRF2, other studies proposed the dominant role of a paracrine yet unidentified signal released by iron-loaded hepatocytes. To further explore the mechanisms of Bmp6 transcriptional regulation, we used female mice aged 10-11 months, which are characterized by hepatocytic but not LSEC iron accumulation, and no evidence of systemic iron overload. We found that LSECs of aged mice exhibit increased Bmp6 mRNA levels as compared to young controls, but do not show a transcriptional signature characteristic of activated NFR2-mediated signaling in FACS-sorted LSECs. We further observed that primary murine LSECs derived from both wild-type and NRF2 knock-out mice induce Bmp6 expression in response to iron exposure. By analyzing transcriptomic data of FACS-sorted LSECs from aged versus young mice, as well as early after iron citrate injections, we identified ETS1 as a candidate transcription factor involved in Bmp6 transcriptional regulation. By performing siRNA-mediated knockdown, small-molecule treatments, and chromatin immunoprecipitation in primary LSECs, we show that Bmp6 transcription is regulated by iron via ETS1 and p38/JNK MAP kinase-mediated signaling, at least in part independently of NRF2. Thereby, these findings identify the new components of LSEC iron sensing machinery broadly associated with cellular stress responses.

The hepatokine FGL1 regulates hepcidin and iron metabolism during anemia in mice by antagonizing BMP signaling.

ABSTRACT: As a functional component of erythrocyte hemoglobin, iron is essential for oxygen delivery to all tissues in the body. The liver-derived peptide hepcidin is the master regulator of iron homeostasis. During anemia, the erythroid hormone erythroferrone regulates hepcidin synthesis to ensure the adequate supply of iron to the bone marrow for red blood cell production. However, mounting evidence suggested that another factor may exert a similar function. We identified the hepatokine fibrinogen-like 1 (FGL1) as a previously undescribed suppressor of hepcidin that is induced in the liver in response to hypoxia during the recovery from anemia, and in thalassemic mice. We demonstrated that FGL1 is a potent suppressor of hepcidin in vitro and in vivo. Deletion of Fgl1 in mice results in higher hepcidin levels at baseline and after bleeding. FGL1 exerts its activity by directly binding to bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6), thereby inhibiting the canonical BMP-SMAD signaling cascade that controls hepcidin transcription.

Bone morphogenetic protein 6 induces downregulation of pentraxin 3 expression in human granulosa lutein cells in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether PTX3 is differentially expressed in the granulosa lutein cells derived from women with PCOS and whether BMP6 can regulate the expression of PTX3 in hGL cells. METHODS: The expression levels of BMP6 and PTX3 in granulosa lutein cells were evaluated by RT-qPCR. The correlation between the expression levels of BMP6 /PTX3 and oocyte quality indexes were analyzed using clinical samples. The cells were incubated with BMP6 at different concentrations and times to check the expression of PTX3 in KGN cells. TGF-ß type I inhibitors and small interfering RNA targeting ALK2/3/6,SMAD1/5/8 and SMAD4 were used to study the involvement of SMAD dependent pathways in KGN cells. RESULTS: The levels of BMP6 in hGL cells were negatively correlated with the corresponding oocyte maturation rate and high-quality embryo rate, whereas the levels of PTX3 were positively correlated with the corresponding oocyte maturation rate in PCOS. Additionally, the in vitro cell cultured results showed BMP6 significantly inhibited the expression of PTX3 in KGN cells. Furthermore, using a dual inhibition approach (kinase inhibitors and small interfering RNAs), we identified the ALK2/ALK3 type I receptors and BMPR2/ACVR2A type II receptors and the downstream SMAD1/SMAD5-SMAD4 signaling pathway were responsible for the BMP6-induced cellular activities in KGN cells. CONCLUSIONS: The suppressive effect of BMP6 on PTX3 was mediated by ALK2/ALK3 type I receptors and BMPR2/ACVR2A type II receptors in granulosa cells through the SMAD1/5-SMAD4 dependent signaling pathway in PCOS.Our findings provides new insights into the understanding of the pathogenesis of PCOS-related ovulatory disorders.

Calcium phosphate ceramics combined with rhBMP6 within autologous blood coagulum promote posterolateral lumbar fusion in sheep.

Posterolateral spinal fusion (PLF) is a procedure used for the treatment of degenerative spine disease. In this study we evaluated Osteogrow-C, a novel osteoinductive device comprised of recombinant human Bone morphogenetic protein 6 (rhBMP6) dispersed in autologous blood coagulum with synthetic ceramic particles, in the sheep PLF model. Osteogrow-C implants containing 74-420 or 1000-1700 µm ceramic particles (TCP/HA 80/20) were implanted between L4-L5 transverse processes in sheep (Ovis Aries, Merinolaandschaf breed). In the first experiment (n = 9 sheep; rhBMP6 dose 800 µg) the follow-up period was 27 weeks while in the second experiment (n = 12 sheep; rhBMP6 dose 500 µg) spinal fusion was assessed by in vivo CT after 9 weeks and at the end of the experiment after 14 (n = 6 sheep) and 40 (n = 6 sheep) weeks. Methods of evaluation included microCT, histological analyses and biomechanical testing. Osteogrow-C implants containing both 74-420 and 1000-1700 µm ceramic particles induced radiographic solid fusion 9 weeks following implantation. Ex-vivo microCT and histological analyses revealed complete osseointegration of newly formed bone with adjacent transverse processes. Biomechanical testing confirmed that fusion between transverse processes was complete and successful. Osteogrow-C implants induced spinal fusion in sheep PLF model and therefore represent a novel therapeutic solution for patients with degenerative disc disease.

Unkeito promotes follicle development by restoring reduced follicle-stimulating hormone responsiveness in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder resulting in irregular menstruation and infertility due to improper follicular development and ovulation. PCOS pathogenesis is mediated by downregulated follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) expression in granulosa cells (GCs); however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Unkeito (UKT) is a traditional Japanese medicine used to treat irregular menstruation in patients with PCOS. In this study, we aimed to confirm the effectiveness of UKT in PCOS by focusing on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) responsiveness. Methods: A rat model of PCOS was generated by prenatal treatment with 5α-dihydrotestosterone. Female offspring (3-week-old) rats were fed a UKT mixed diet or a normal diet daily. To compare the PCOS phenotype in rats, the estrous cycle, hormone profiles, and ovarian morphology were evaluated. To further examine the role of FSH, molecular, genetic, and immunohistological analyses were performed using ovarian tissues and primary cultured GCs from normal and PCOS model rats. Results: UKT increased the number of antral and preovulatory follicles and restored the irregular estrous cycle in PCOS rats. The gene expression levels of FSHR and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 and BMP-6 were significantly decreased in the ovarian GCs of PCOS rats compared to those in normal rats. UKT treatment increased FSHR staining in the small antral follicles and upregulated Fshr and Bmps expression in the ovary and GCs of PCOS rats. There was no change in serum gonadotropin levels. In primary cultured GCs stimulated by FSH, UKT enhanced estradiol production, accompanied by increased intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels, and upregulated the expression of genes encoding the enzymes involved in local estradiol synthesis, namely Cyp19a1 and Hsd17b. Furthermore, UKT elevated the expression of Star and Cyp11a1, involved in progesterone production in cultured GCs in the presence of FSH. Conclusions: UKT stimulates ovarian follicle development by potentiating FSH responsiveness by upregulating BMP-2 and BMP-6 expression, resulting in the recovery of estrous cycle abnormalities in PCOS rats. Restoring the FSHR dysfunction in the small antral follicles may alleviate the PCOS phenotype.

BMP6 participates in the pathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis by regulating osteopenia.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a complex disease characterized by three-dimensional structural deformities of the spine. Its pathogenesis is associated with osteopenia. Bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) play an important role in bone metabolism. We detected 1919 differentially expressed mRNAs and 744 differentially expressed lncRNAs in BMSCs from seven patients with AIS and five patients without AIS via high-throughput sequencing. Multiple analyses identified bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP6) as a hub gene that regulates the abnormal osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in AIS. BMP6 expression was found to be decreased in AIS and its knockdown in human BMSCs significantly altered the degree of osteogenic differentiation. Additionally, CAP1-217 has been shown to be a potential upstream regulatory molecule of BMP6. We showed that CAP1-217 knockdown downregulated the expression of BMP6 and the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Simultaneously, knockout of BMP6 in zebrafish embryos significantly increased the deformity rate. The findings of this study suggest that BMP6 is a key gene that regulates the abnormal osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in AIS via the CAP1-217/BMP6/RUNX2 axis.

Interaction of Orexin and Bone Morphogenetic Proteins in Steroidogenesis by Human Adrenocortical Cells.

Orexins are neuropeptides that play important roles in sleep-wake regulation and food intake in the central nervous system, but their receptors are also expressed in peripheral tissues, including the endocrine system. In the present study, we investigated the functions of orexin in adrenal steroidogenesis using human adrenocortical H295R cells by focusing on its interaction with adrenocortical bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) that induce adrenocortical steroidogenesis. Treatment with orexin A increased the mRNA levels of steroidogenic enzymes including StAR, CYP11B2, CYP17, and HSD3B1, and these effects of orexin A were further enhanced in the presence of forskolin. Interestingly, orexin A treatment suppressed the BMP-receptor signaling detected by Smad1/5/9 phosphorylation and Id-1 expression through upregulation of inhibitory Smad7. Orexin A also suppressed endogenous BMP-6 expression but increased the expression of the type-II receptor of ActRII in H295R cells. Moreover, treatment with BMP-6 downregulated the mRNA level of OX1R, but not that of OX2R, expressed in H295R cells. In conclusion, the results indicate that both orexin and BMP-6 accelerate adrenocortical steroidogenesis in human adrenocortical cells; both pathways mutually inhibit each other, thereby leading to a fine-tuning of adrenocortical steroidogenesis.

An H2 S-BMP6 Dual-Loading System with Regulating Yap/Taz and Jun Pathway for Synergistic Critical Limb Ischemia Salvaging Therapy.

Critical limb ischemia, the final course of peripheral artery disease, is characterized by an insufficient supply of blood flow and excessive oxidative stress. H2 S molecular therapy possesses huge potential for accelerating revascularization and scavenging intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, it is found that BMP6 is the most significantly up-expressed secreted protein-related gene in HUVECs treated with GYY4137, a H2 S donor, based on the transcriptome analysis. Herein, a UIO-66-NH2 @GYY4137@BMP6 co-delivery nanoplatform to strengthen the therapeutic effects of limb ischemia is developed. The established UIO-66-NH2 @GYY4137@BMP6 nanoplatform exerts its proangiogenic and anti-oxidation functions by regulating key pathways. The underlying molecular mechanisms of UIO-66-NH2 @GYY4137@BMP6 dual-loading system lie in the upregulation of phosphorylated YAP/TAZ and Jun to promote HUVECs proliferation and downregulation of phosphorylated p53/p21 to scavenge excessive ROS. Meanwhile, laser-doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI), injury severity evaluation, and histological analysis confirm the excellent therapeutic effects of UIO-66-NH2 @GYY4137@BMP6 in vivo. This work may shed light on the treatment of critical limb ischemia by regulating YAP, Jun, and p53 signaling pathways based on gas-protein synergistic therapy.

BMP5 contributes to hepcidin regulation and systemic iron homeostasis in mice.

Hepcidin is the master regulator of systemic iron homeostasis. The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway is a critical regulator of hepcidin expression in response to iron and erythropoietic drive. Although endothelial-derived BMP6 and BMP2 ligands have key functional roles as endogenous hepcidin regulators, both iron and erythropoietic drives still regulate hepcidin in mice lacking either or both ligands. Here, we used mice with an inactivating Bmp5 mutation (Bmp5se), either alone or together with a global or endothelial Bmp6 knockout, to investigate the functional role of BMP5 in hepcidin and systemic iron homeostasis regulation. We showed that Bmp5se-mutant mice exhibit hepcidin deficiency at age 10 days, blunted hepcidin induction in response to oral iron gavage, and mild liver iron loading when fed on a low- or high-iron diet. Loss of 1 or 2 functional Bmp5 alleles also leads to increased iron loading in Bmp6-heterozygous mice and more profound hemochromatosis in global or endothelial Bmp6-knockout mice. Moreover, double Bmp5- and Bmp6-mutant mice fail to induce hepcidin in response to long-term dietary iron loading. Finally, erythroferrone binds directly to BMP5 and inhibits BMP5 induction of hepcidin in vitro. Although erythropoietin suppresses hepcidin in Bmp5se-mutant mice, it fails to suppress hepcidin in double Bmp5- and Bmp6-mutant males. Together, these data demonstrate that BMP5 plays a functional role in hepcidin and iron homeostasis regulation, particularly under conditions in which BMP6 is limited.

CREB-H is a stress-regulator of hepcidin gene expression during early postnatal development.

Hepcidin, the hepatic iron hormone, is the central regulator of iron homeostasis. Cyclic AMP-Responsive Element-Binding protein 3-like 3 (CREB3L3/CREB-H) is a liver homeostatic regulator of essential nutrients (i.e. glucose and lipids) and has been previously involved in hepcidin response to pathologic stress signals. Here, we asked whether CREB-H has also a physiologic role in iron homeostasis through hepcidin. To this end, we analyzed hepcidin gene expression and regulation in the liver of wild type and Creb3l3 knockout mice during early postnatal development, as a model of "physiologic" stressful condition. The effect of iron challenge in vivo and BMP6 stimulation in vitro have been also addressed. In addition, we investigated the BMP signaling pathway and hepcidin promoter activity following CREB3L3 silencing and hepcidin promoter mutation in HepG2 cells. Creb3l3 knockout suckling and young-adult mice showed a prominent serum and hepatic iron accumulation, respectively, due to impaired hepcidin mRNA expression which progressively returned to normal level in adult mice. Interestingly, upon iron challenge, while the upstream BMP/SMAD signaling pathway controlling hepcidin was equally responsive in both strains, hepcidin gene expression was impaired in knockout mice and more iron accumulated in the liver. Accordingly, hepcidin gene response to BMP6 was blunted in primary CREB-H knockout hepatocytes and in HepG2 cells transfected with CREB-H siRNA or carrying a hepcidin promoter mutated in the CREB-H binding site. In conclusion, CREB-H has a role in maintaining the homeostatic balance of iron traffic through hepcidin during the critical postnatal period and in response to iron challenge. KEY MESSAGES: CREB-H KO mice develop liver iron overload shortly after weaning that normalizes in adulthood. CHEB-H is involved in hepcidin gene response to oral iron in vivo. CREB-H loss hampers hepcidin promoter response to BMP6. CREB-H is a key stress-sensor controlling hepcidin gene transcription in physiologic and pathophysiologic states.

Dynamic chromatin accessibility during nutritional iron overload reveals a BMP6-independent induction of cell cycle genes.

Iron is essential to organism physiology as it participates in numerous biological processes including oxygen transport, respiration, and erythropoiesis. Although iron is critical to physiology, excess iron is toxic to cells and tissues due to generation of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, well-kept iron homeostasis is a mainstay of proper cell and organ function. Iron overload disorders, caused by nutritional or genetic factors, contribute to many pathologies such as diabetes, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The liver is not only vulnerable to the effects of iron overload, it is also the major organ controlling iron homeostasis. During iron overload, Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP) levels increase and initiate a hepatic response aimed at lowering iron levels. The transcriptional effects of iron overload are not well-characterized and the underlining enhancer regulation is uncharted. Here, we profiled the liver's transcriptome and chromatin accessibility following nutritional iron overload. We found marked changes in gene expression and enhancer accessibility following iron overload. Surprisingly, 16% of genes induced following iron overload participate in propagating the cell cycle. Induction of cell cycle genes was independent of BMP. Genome-wide enhancer landscape profiling revealed hundreds of enhancers with altered activity following iron overload. Characterization of transcription factor motifs and footprints in iron-regulated enhancers showed a role for the Activator Protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factor in promoting cell cycle-related transcription. In summary, we found that the transcriptional program at play during iron overload is bifurcated in which BMP signaling controls iron homeostasis genes while an AP-1-driven program controls cell cycle genes.

BMP6 knockdown enhances cardiac fibrosis in a mouse myocardial infarction model by upregulating AP-1/CEMIP expression.

BACKGROUND: The cardiac repair process following a myocardial infarction is a key factor in patient prognosis. In this repair process, cardiac fibrosis takes a critically important role. Among those featured genes for fibrosis, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) is known to be involved in the fibrosis in various organs. And bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)6 belongs to the TGF-ß superfamily. Although BMPs are known to play exclusive roles in cardiac repair processes, the character of BMP6 in cardiac remodelling remains unclear. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate how BMP6 functioned in cardiac fibrosis following myocardial infarction (MI). RESULTS: In this paper, we demonstrated that BMP6 expression was upregulated after myocardial infarction in wild-type (WT) mice. Furthermore, BMP6-/- mice showed a more significant decline in cardiac function and lower survival curves after MI. An enlarged infarct area, increased fibrosis and more pronounced inflammatory infiltration were observed in BMP6-/- mice compared to WT mice. The expression of collagen I, collagen III and α-SMA was increased in BMP6-/- mice. In vitro, through gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments, it was demonstrated that BMP6 decreases collagen secretion in fibroblasts. Mechanistically, knocking down BMP6 promoted AP-1 phosphorylation, which in turn promotes CEMIP expression, led to an acceleration in the progression of cardiac fibrosis. Finally, it was found that rhBMP6 would alleviate ventricular remodelling abnormalities after myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION: Therefore, BMP6 may be a novel molecular target for improving myocardial fibrosis and cardiac function after myocardial infarction.

FKBP12 inhibits hepcidin expression by modulating BMP receptors interaction and ligand responsiveness in hepatocytes.

The expression of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin in hepatocytes is regulated by the BMP-SMAD pathway through the type I receptors ALK2 and ALK3, the type II receptors ACVR2A and BMPR2, and the ligands BMP2 and BMP6. We previously identified the immunophilin FKBP12 as a new hepcidin inhibitor that acts by blocking ALK2. Both the physiologic ALK2 ligand BMP6 and the immunosuppressive drug Tacrolimus (TAC) displace FKBP12 from ALK2 and activate the signaling. However, the molecular mechanism whereby FKBP12 regulates BMP-SMAD pathway activity and thus hepcidin expression remains unclear. Here, we show that FKBP12 acts by modulating BMP receptor interactions and ligand responsiveness. We first demonstrate that in primary murine hepatocytes TAC regulates hepcidin expression exclusively via FKBP12. Downregulation of the BMP receptors reveals that ALK2, to a lesser extent ALK3, and ACVR2A are required for hepcidin upregulation in response to both BMP6 and TAC. Mechanistically, TAC and BMP6 increase ALK2 homo-oligomerization and ALK2-ALK3 hetero-oligomerization and the interaction between ALK2 and the type II receptors. By acting on the same receptors, TAC and BMP6 cooperate in BMP pathway activation and hepcidin expression both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, the activation state of ALK3 modulates its interaction with FKBP12, which may explain the cell-specific activity of FKBP12. Overall, our results identify the mechanism whereby FKBP12 regulates the BMP-SMAD pathway and hepcidin expression in hepatocytes, and suggest that FKBP12-ALK2 interaction is a potential pharmacologic target in disorders caused by defective BMP-SMAD signaling and characterized by low hepcidin and high BMP6 expression.