Gremlin-mediated decrease in bone morphogenetic protein signaling promotes pulmonary fibrosis.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta superfamily, including TGF-betas and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), are essential for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and regeneration after injury. We have observed that the BMP antagonist, gremlin, is highly up-regulated in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Objectives

To investigate the role of gremlin in the regulation of BMP signaling in pulmonary fibrosis.

Methods

Progressive asbestos-induced fibrosis in the mouse was used as a model of human IPF. TGF-beta and BMP expression and signaling activities were measured from murine and human fibrotic lungs. The mechanism of gremlin induction was analyzed in cultured lung epithelial cells. In addition, the possible therapeutic role of gremlin in

SUBMITTER: Myllarniemi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2218851 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature