RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 VE-cadherin facilitates BMP-induced endothelial cell permeability and signaling
JF Journal of Cell Science
JO J. Cell Sci.
FD The Company of Biologists Ltd
SP 206
OP 218
DO 10.1242/jcs.179960
VO 129
IS 1
A1 Benn, Andreas
A1 Bredow, Clara
A1 Casanova, Isabel
A1 Vukičević, Slobodan
A1 Knaus, Petra
YR 2016
UL http://jcs.biologists.org/content/129/1/206.abstract
AB Several vascular disorders, such as aberrant angiogenesis, atherosclerosis and pulmonary hypertension, have been linked to dysfunctional BMP signaling. Vascular hyperpermeability via distortion of endothelial cell adherens junctions is a common feature of these diseases, but the role of BMPs in this process has not been investigated. BMP signaling is initiated by binding of ligand to, and activation of, BMP type I (BMPRI) and type II (BMPRII) receptors. Internalization of VE-cadherin as well as c-Src kinase-dependent phosphorylation have been implicated in the loosening of cell–cell contacts, thereby modulating vascular permeability. Here we demonstrate that BMP6 induces hyperpermeabilization of human endothelial cells by inducing internalization and c-Src-dependent phosphorylation of VE-cadherin. Furthermore, we show BMP-dependent physical interaction of VE-cadherin with the BMP receptor ALK2 (BMPRI) and BMPRII, resulting in stabilization of the BMP receptor complex and, thereby, the support of BMP6-Smad signaling. Our results provide first insights into the molecular mechanism of BMP-induced vascular permeability, a hallmark of various vascular diseases, and provide the basis for further investigations of BMPs as regulators of vascular integrity, both under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.