Abstract B5: A BMP7 variant inhibits angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo in part by downregulating VEGFR2 and FGFR1 expression in endothelial cells.

Abstract Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive glioma, requires active angiogenesis for growth and survival. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), members of the TGF-β superfamily, have numerous biological activities including control of growth, differentiation, and vascular development. Previously, we demonstrated the use of a BMP7 variant (BMP7v) to differentiate glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSLCs) and significantly reduce their tumorigenic potential (Tate and Pallini et al. 2012). Using an in vitro co-culture endothelial cord formation assay, a surrogate of angiogenesis, and its cognate in vivo model, we investigated the role of BMP7v in VEGF, basic FGF (bFGF), tumor-driven a…