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Updated: Sep 10, 2025

Molecular Analysis of Endothelial-mesenchymal Transition Induced by Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling
Published on: August 3, 2018
BRD4 Mediates Transforming Growth Factor-β-Induced Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation from Mesenchymal Progenitor
Ayobami Olajuyin1, Venkatakirankumar Mandlem1, Christudas Sunil1
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, TX 75708, USA.
Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is a novel regulator of smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation. It controls SMC marker expression by modulating TAZ and myocardin, crucial for blood vessel development.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation is vital for blood vessel formation.
- Mechanisms controlling SMC differentiation, particularly progenitor-specific regulation, are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel regulators of SMC differentiation.
- To elucidate the role of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) in TGF-β-induced SMC differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized pluripotent murine 10T1/2 cells.
- Employed siRNA for BRD4 knockdown.
- Administered BRD4 inhibitors (JQ1) and degraders (ARV-825, dBET1).
- Assessed expression of SMC markers (α-SMA, SM22α) and regulatory proteins (TAZ, Smad3, myocardin).
Main Results:
- Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induces BRD4 expression during early SMC differentiation.
- BRD4 knockdown or inhibition suppressed TGF-β-induced SMC marker expression.
- BRD4 regulates SMC differentiation via TAZ and Smad3 nuclear retention, independent of Smad2/3 phosphorylation.
- BRD4 knockdown attenuated TGF-β-induced myocardin expression.
Conclusions:
- BRD4 is a novel regulator of SMC differentiation from mesenchymal progenitors.
- BRD4 modulates SMC differentiation through TAZ and myocardin pathways.
- BRD4 plays a critical role in TGF-β-mediated SMC differentiation.
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