Expression of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 14 in Liver Disease and Cancer

The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the key event fibrosis. Furthermore, activated HSCs also play an important role in progression hepatocellular cancer (HCC). Bone morphogenetic protein 14 (BMP14) a member TGF-β/BMP superfamily. So far, most studies have analyzed BMP14 context bone and cartilage formation homeostasis. aim this study was to assess expression function liver fibrosis HCC. increased during vitro primary human mouse models In HCC, as well non-tumorous tissues, there significant correlation between alpha-smooth-muscle actin (α-SMA), established marker for HSC activation. RNAi-mediated suppression resulted reduced transcription factors inhibitor differentiation 1 (ID1) ID2, known targets BMP signaling. Interestingly, α-SMA collagen BMP14-depleted cells, while treatment with recombinant induced ID1, expression. HCC cell lines, proliferation, migratory activity colony formation. summary, our data indicate major cellular source enhanced fibrotic disease show that exhibits pro-fibrogenic pro-tumorigenic effects. Future analyses will reveal potential soluble growth factor therapeutic target or prognostic patients chronic disease.