Bone morphogenetic protein 7 polarizes THP-1 cells into M2 macrophages

Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2012 Jul;90(7):947-51. doi: 10.1139/y2012-102. Epub 2012 Jun 21.

Abstract

It was hypothesized that monocyte treatment with bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) would significantly enhance monocyte polarization into M2 macrophages as well as increasing the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines. In a cell culture system using monocytes (human acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1), we studied the effects of BMP7 on monocytes polarizing into M2 macrophages. The data demonstrate that THP-1 cells contain a BMP type II receptor (BMPR2), and that its activation is significantly (p < 0.05) increased following treatment with BMP7. Furthermore, there was an increase of M2 macrophages, BMPR2, and anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-1ra compared with the respective controls. Moreover, treatment with BMP7 caused a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), compared with the controls. In conclusion, we suggest for the first time that BMP7 has a unique potential to polarize monocytes into M2 macrophages, required for tissue repair, which will have significant applications for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

MeSH terms

  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 / metabolism*
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chemokine CCL2 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / metabolism
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • BMP7 protein, human
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7
  • CCL2 protein, human
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • IL10 protein, human
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
  • Interleukin-6
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interleukin-10
  • BMPR2 protein, human
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II