Transforming growth factor-β1 and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP7) have been shown to induce DN-like changes in the kidney and protect the kidney from such changes, respectively.
The BMP7 gene was screened for novel genetic polymorphisms, haplotypes were identified, an appropriate subset of variants selected for the investigation of common genetic risk factors, and BMP2, BMP4 and BMP7 genes assessed for association with diabetic nephropathy in 1808 individuals.
The reorganization of the re-activation of Gremlin and BMP-7 in diabetic kidney had shed light on the identification of novel therapeutic targets for DN.
Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by decreased expression of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) and decreased podocyte number and differentiation.
Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) expression is known to be protective for renal damage during diabetic nephropathy and disappears early during the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
These results suggest in the early stage of DN, increase in BMP-7 and inhibitory Smad expression may play a role in the feedback regulation and restrain the development of DN.
It is concluded that maintenance of renal BMP-7 during the evolution of diabetic nephropathy reduces diabetic renal injury, especially podocyte dropout.
It is concluded that maintenance of renal BMP-7 during the evolution of diabetic nephropathy reduces diabetic renal injury, especially podocyte dropout.