Inflammation induces endothelial ‐to‐mesenchymal transition and promotes vascular calcification through downregulation of BMPR2

ABSTRACTEndothelial ‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EndMT) has been unveiled as a common cause for a multitude of human pathologies, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. Vascular calcification is a risk factor for ischemic vascular disorders and slowing calcification may reduce mortality in affected patients. T he absence of early biomarkers hampers the identification of patients at risk. EndMT and vascular calcification are induced upon cooperation between distinct stimuli, including inflammatory cytokines and transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) family members. However, how these signaling pathways interplay to promote cell differentiation and eventually vascular calcification is not well understood. Usingin vitro andex vivo analysis in animal models and patient ‐derived tissues, we have identified that the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) induce EndMT in human primary aortic endothelial cells, thereby sensitizing them for BMP‐9‐induced osteogenic differentiation. Downregulation of th e BMP type II receptor BMPR2 is key event in this process. Rather than compromising BMP canonical signal transduction, loss of BMPR2 results in decreased JNK signaling in ECs, thus enhancing BMP‐9‐induced mineralization. Altogether, our results point at the BMPR‐JNK signaling axis as a key pat hway regulating inflammation‐induced EndMT and contributing to calcification.
Source: The Journal of Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Original Paper Source Type: research