Bone morphogenic protein-7 inhibits progression of chronic renal fibrosis associated with two genetic mouse models

M Zeisberg, C Bottiglio, N Kumar… - American Journal …, 2003 - journals.physiology.org
M Zeisberg, C Bottiglio, N Kumar, Y Maeshima, F Strutz, GA Muller, R Kalluri
American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, 2003journals.physiology.org
Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is a hallmark feature of chronic renal injury. Specific therapies to
control the progression of renal fibrosis toward end-stage renal failure are limited. Previous
studies have demonstrated that expression of endogenous bone morphogenic protein-7
(BMP-7) is reduced in the kidneys of several inducible mouse models of acute and chronic
renal disease and that administration of exogenous recombinant human BMP-7 (rhBMP-7)
has a beneficial effect on kidney function. Here we report that treatment with rhBMP-7 leads …
Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is a hallmark feature of chronic renal injury. Specific therapies to control the progression of renal fibrosis toward end-stage renal failure are limited. Previous studies have demonstrated that expression of endogenous bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP-7) is reduced in the kidneys of several inducible mouse models of acute and chronic renal disease and that administration of exogenous recombinant human BMP-7 (rhBMP-7) has a beneficial effect on kidney function. Here we report that treatment with rhBMP-7 leads to improved renal function, histology, and survival in mice deficient in the α3-chain of type IV collagen and MRL/MpJlpr/lpr lupus mice, two genetic models for chronic renal injury and fibrosis. Such therapeutic benefit is also associated with a significant decrease in the expression of profibrotic molecules, such as type I collagen and fibronectin, in renal fibroblasts. Additionally, rhBMP-7 induces expression of active matrix metalloproteinase-2, which is potentially important for removal of fibrotic matrix. Collectively, these studies provide further evidence for rhBMP-7 as an important bone-associated protein with protective function against renal pathology.
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