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Bone morphogenetic proteins-2 and -4 attenuate apoptosis in a cerebellar primitive neuroectodermal tumor cell line

M R Iantosca1, C E McPherson, S Y Ho

  • 1Division of Neurosurgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030-3405, USA.

Journal of Neuroscience Research
|May 21, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) like BMP-2 and BMP-4 significantly reduce apoptosis in primitive neuroectodermal tumor cells. This anti-apoptotic effect suggests potential therapeutic strategies for these central nervous system tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Neuro-oncology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNTs) share similarities with central nervous system (CNS) progenitor cells.
  • Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are known regulators of CNS progenitor cell survival and differentiation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of BMP-2, BMP-4, and BMP-6 on the DAOY medulloblastoma cell line.
  • To determine if BMPs influence the survival and proliferation of these tumor cells.

Main Methods:

  • Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect BMP receptor expression.
  • Cell counting to assess total cell number.
  • Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining for proliferation.
  • Assay for apoptotic DNA fragmentation.

Main Results:

  • DAOY cells express BMP receptor type IA and II; BMP-2 treatment induced expression of BMP receptor type IB and activin R-I.
  • BMP-2 and BMP-4 significantly increased total cell number.
  • BMP-2 and BMP-4 markedly decreased apoptotic DNA fragmentation at concentrations above 5 ng/ml.
  • No significant effects were observed with BMP-6, TGF-beta1, or GDNF.

Conclusions:

  • BMP-2 and BMP-4 attenuate apoptosis in the DAOY medulloblastoma cell line.
  • The increase in cell number is primarily due to reduced apoptosis, not increased proliferation.
  • These findings suggest a potential therapeutic role for BMP-2 and BMP-4 in treating primitive neuroectodermal tumors.

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