BMP-7 counteracts TGF-beta1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells.
Abstract
A large proportion of interstitial fibroblasts actually originate from tubular epithelial cells via the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in renal fibrogenesis. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is capable of initiating and completing the entire EMT course. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) is a member of the TGF-beta superfamily. Recent studies indicate that BMP-7 could reverse established renal fibrosis in mice, primarily through counteracting TGF-beta1-mediated EMT. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that BMP-7 functions by antagonizing profibrogenic events that are induced by TGF-beta1 in cultured human renal proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells.
