BackgroundBAMBI is a type I TGFβ receptor antagonist, whose in vivo function remains unclear, as BAMBI− /− mice lack an obvious phenotype.Methodology/Principal FindingsIdentifying BAMBI’s functions requires identification of cell-specific expression of BAMBI. By immunohistology we found BAMBI expression restricted to endothelial cells and by electron microscopy BAMBI− /− mice showed prominent and swollen endothelial cells in myocardial and glomerular capillaries. In endothelial cells over-expression of BAMBI reduced, whereas knock-down enhanced capillary growth and migration in response to TGFβ. In vivo angiogenesis was enhanced in matrigel implants and in glomerular hypertrophy after unilateral nephrectomy in BAMBI− /− compared to BAMBI+/+ mice consistent with an endothelial phenotype for BAMBI− /− mice. BAMBI’s mechanism of action in endothelial cells was examined by canonical and alternative TGFβ signaling in HUVEC with over-expression or knock-down of BAMBI. BAMBI knockdown enhanced basal and TGFβ stimulated SMAD1/5 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, while over-expression prevented both.Conclusions/SignificanceThus we provide a first description of a vascular phenotype for BAMBI− /− mice, and provide in vitro and in vivo evidence that BAMBI contributes to endothelial and vascular homeostasis. Further, we demonstrate that in endothelial cells BAMBI interferes with alternative TGFβ signaling, most likely through the ALK 1 receptor, which may explain the phenotype observed in BAMBI− /− mice. This newly described role for BAMBI in regulating endothelial function has potential implications for understanding and treating vascular disease and tumor neo-angiogenesis.

TGFb signaling plays a central role in the development of acute and chronic kidney diseases. Previous in vivo studies involved systemic alteration of TGFb signaling, however, limiting conclusions about the direct role of TGFb in tubular cell injury. Here, we generated a double transgenic mouse that inducibly expresses a ligand-independent constitutively active TGFb receptor type 1 (TbR1) kinase specifically in tubular epithelial cells, with expression restricted by the Pax8 promoter. In this model, activation of TGFb signaling in the tubular epithelium alone was sufficient to cause AKI characterized by marked tubular cell apoptosis and necrosis, oxidative stress, dedifferentiation and regenerative cell proliferation, reduced renal function, and interstitial accumulation of inflammatory cells. This tubular injury was associated with mitochondrial-derived generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), but cell damage and apoptosis were partially independent of mitochondrial-derived ROS.

Dendritic cell (DC) derived cytokines play a key role in specifying adaptive immune responses tailored to the type of pathogen encountered and the local tissue environment. However, little is known about how DC perceive the local environment. We investigated whether endogenous Notch signaling could affect DC responses to pathogenic stimuli. We demonstrate that concurrent Notch and TLR stimulation results in a unique cytokine profile in mouse bone-marrow derived DC characterized by enhanced IL-10 and IL-2 and reduced IL-12 expression compared to TLR ligation alone. Unexpectedly, modulation of cytokine production occurred through a non-canonical Notch signaling pathway, independent of γ-secretase activity. Modulation required de novo protein synthesis and PI3K, JNK and ERK activity were necessary for enhanced IL-2 expression while modulation of IL-10 only required PI3K activity. Further, we show that this γ-secretase independent Notch pathway can induce PI3K activity. In contrast, expression of the canonical Notch target gene Hes1 was suppressed in DC stimulated with Notch and TLR ligands simultaneously. Thus, our data suggest that Notch acts as an endogenous signal that modulates cytokine expression of DC through a non-canonical pathway and therefore has the potential to tailor the subsequent adaptive immune response in a tissue and/or stage dependent manner.

Recently it has been shown that dendritic cells (DC) express both Notch and Notch ligands, allowing for the possibility that Notch signaling may influence their maturation. We show that although both Jagged (Jgd) and Delta-like (DlL) ligands were able to activate the canonical Notch pathway in mouse DC, only Jgd1 could induce the production of certain cytokines. Maturation of DC via Jgd1 resulted in an entirely different maturation program from that induced through TLR (via LPS) signaling, promoting the production of high levels of IL-2 and IL-10. DC matured by Jgd1 (Jgd1-conditioned DC) promoted the survival and proliferation of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells that were able to suppress efficiently the proliferation of CD25− cells. Further, CD25+ cells cultured with Jgd1-conditioned DC produced very high levels of IL-17 in an IL-2-dependent fashion. Our data suggest a new and important role for the Notch pathway in the regulation of the DC phenotype.

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