Identification of a bone morphogenetic protein type 2 receptor neutralizing antibody

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway comprises the largest subdivision of the transforming growth factor (TGFβ) superfamily. BMP signaling plays essential roles in both embryonic development and postnatal tissue homeostasis. Dysregulated BMP signaling underlies human pathologies ranging from pulmonary arterial hypertension to heterotopic ossification. Thus, understanding the basic mechanisms and regulation of BMP signaling may yield translational opportunities. Unfortunately, limited tools are available to evaluate this pathway, and genetic approaches are frequently confounded by developmental requirements or ability of pathway components to compensate for one another. Specific inhibitors for type 2 receptors are poorly represented. Thus, we sought to identify and validate an antibody that neutralizes the ligand-binding function of BMP receptor type 2 (BMPR2) extracellular domain (ECD).

Using a modified, cell-free immunoprecipitation assay, we examined the neutralizing ability of the mouse monoclonal antibody 3F6 and found a dose-dependent inhibition of BMPR2-ECD ligand-binding. Consistent with this, 3F6 blocks endogenous BMPR2 function in the BMP-responsive cell line HEK293T. The specificity of 3F6 action was confirmed by demonstrating that this antibody has no effect on BMP-responsiveness in HEK293T cells in which BMPR2 expression is knocked-down. Our results provide important proof-of-concept data for future studies interrogating BMPR2 function.