Expression of Kielin/chordin-like protein is regulated by BMP-2 in osteoblasts.

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), an osteoinductive factor, is a cytokine that induces osteoblast differentiation and mineralization, and expected to be applicable for hard tissue reconstruction. Kielin/chordin-like protein (Kcp), a member of the family of cysteine-rich proteins, enhances BMP signaling. The present study found that expression of in osteoblasts was induced by BMP-2 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Up-regulation of by BMP-2 was inhibited by Dorsomorphin, a SMAD signaling inhibitor. The involvement of up-regulation of by BMP-2 in induction of osteoblast differentiation by BMP-2 was also examined, which showed that suppression of expression by si partially inhibited induction of osteoblast differentiation and mineralization by BMP-2. Together, these results suggest that induced by BMP-2 functions to provide positive feedback for promotion of osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization by BMP-2 in osteoblasts.