Fibroblast growth factor signaling pathway in endothelial cells is activated by BMPER to promote angiogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: Previously, we have identified bone morphogenetic protein endothelial cell precursor-derived regulator (BMPER) to increase the angiogenic activity of endothelial cells in a concentration-dependent manner. In this project, we now investigate how BMPER acts in concert with key molecules of angiogenesis to promote blood vessel formation. APPROACH AND RESULTS: To assess the effect of BMPER on angiogenesis-related signaling pathways, we performed an angiogenesis antibody array with BMPER-stimulated endothelial cells. We detected increased basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF/FGF-2) expression after BMPER stimulation and decreased expression of thrombospondin-1. Additionally, FGF receptor-1 expression, phosphorylation, FGF signaling pathway activity, and cell survival were increased. Consistently, silencing of BMPER by small interfering RNA decreased bFGF and FGF receptor-1 expression and increased thrombospondin-1 expression and cell apoptosis. Next, we investigated the interaction of BMPER and the FGF signaling pathway in endothelial cell function. BMPER stimulation increased endothelial cell angiogenic activity in migration, Matrigel, and spheroid assays. To block FGF signaling, an anti-bFGF antibody was used, which effectively inhibited the proangiogenic BMPER effect. Accordingly, BMPER-silenced endothelial cells under bFGF stimulation showed decreased angiogenic activity compared with bFGF control. We confirmed these findings in vivo by subcutaneous Matrigel injections with and without bFGF in C57BL/6_Bmper(+/-) mice. Aortic ring assays of C57BL/6_Bmper(+/-) mice confirmed a specific effect for bFGF but not for vascular endothelial growth factor. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the proangiogenic BMPER effect in endothelial cells is mediated by inhibition of antiangiogenic thrombospondin-1 and enhanced expression and activation of the FGF signaling pathway that is crucial in the promotion of angiogenesis.

Extracellular bone morphogenetic protein modulator BMPER and twisted gastrulation homolog 1 preserve arterial-venous specification in zebrafish blood vessel development and regulate Notch signaling in endothelial cells.

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway plays a central role during vasculature development. Mutations or dysregulation of the BMP pathway members have been linked to arteriovenous malformations. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the BMP modulators bone morphogenetic protein endothelial precursor-derived regulator (BMPER) and twisted gastrulation protein homolog 1 (TWSG1) on arteriovenous specification during zebrafish development and analyzed downstream Notch signaling pathway in human endothelial cells. Silencing of bmper and twsg1b in zebrafish embryos by morpholinos resulted in a pronounced enhancement of venous ephrinB4a marker expression and concomitant dysregulated arterial ephrinb2a marker expression detected by in situ hybridization. As arteriovenous specification was disturbed, we assessed the impact of BMPER and TWSG1 protein stimulation on the Notch signaling pathway on endothelial cells from different origin. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot analysis showed increased expression of Notch target gene hairy and enhancer of split, HEY1/2 and EPHRINB2. Consistently, silencing of BMPER in endothelial cells by siRNAs decreased Notch signaling and downstream effectors. BMP receptor antagonist DMH1 abolished BMPER and BMP4 induced Notch signaling pathway activation. In conclusion, we found that in endothelial cells, BMPER and TWSG1 are necessary for regular Notch signaling activity and in zebrafish embryos BMPER and TWSG1 preserve arteriovenous specification to prevent malformations.