Abstract
BackgroundObesity is regarded as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is a proinflammatory and profibrotic factor, and the reduced expression of this molecule in obese mice seems to be inconsistent with the known proinflammatory effects of obesity. Therefore, we studied BMP4 expression and inflammation in the myocardial tissue and aortas of obese mice.Methods and ResultsFour-week-old ob/ob mice were used as the experimental group, and C57BL/6 mice comprised the control group. Animals were sacrificed after a 12-week full diet, and then the blood, heart, abdominal aorta, and inguinal adipose tissue were collected. The expression of BMP4 mRNA and protein in the heart and aorta was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group, but expression was lower in adipose tissue. Inflammation measured by the expression of IL-1β and IL-9 mRNA and protein and Smad1 and phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 protein in the heart and aorta was higher in the experimental group than in the control group. In addition, the expression of BMP4 in the serum was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group.ConclusionBMP4 is significantly overexpressed in the myocardial tissue and aortas of obese mice, and mediates local inflammatory responses.
Highlights
Observational epidemiological studies have documented that obesity is associated with cardiovascular risk factors, and is becoming one of the most important determinants of health and the quality of life in the global burden of disease [1]
Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is significantly overexpressed in the myocardial tissue and aortas of obese mice, and mediates local inflammatory responses
BMP4 impairs endothelial function via the activation of vascular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, which enhances the production of peroxides and reduces endothelial bioavailability of nitric oxide [7-9]. These findings indicate that BMP4 is a proinflammatory factor, its reduced expression in adipose tissue seems to be inconsistent with the known proinflammatory effects of obesity
Summary
Observational epidemiological studies have documented that obesity is associated with cardiovascular risk factors, and is becoming one of the most important determinants of health and the quality of life in the global burden of disease [1]. A number of studies have shown that bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) mediates adipocyte differentiation of pluripotent stem cells, and is closely. Wu et al Journal of Inflammation (2015) 12:8 effective therapeutic targets for clinical prevention of obesity-associated cardiovascular disease. Obesity is regarded as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is a proinflammatory and profibrotic factor, and the reduced expression of this molecule in obese mice seems to be inconsistent with the known proinflammatory effects of obesity. We studied BMP4 expression and inflammation in the myocardial tissue and aortas of obese mice
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
