Effect of BMP4 on the Growth and Clonogenicity of Human Leukemia and Lymphoma Cells

Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) signaling is involved in the maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells. However, the effects of BMP4 on leukemia and lymphoma cells are unknown. The effects of recombinant BMP4 on the in vitro growth of 12 leukemia and lymphoma cell lines were examined. BMP4 treatment promoted the short-term growth of three cell lines and suppressed the growth of one. Induction of differentiation was not observed. BMP4 treatment suppressed the clonogenicity of four out of the six examined cell lines. BMP4 treatment promoted the growth of Jurkat cells but suppressed their ability to form colonies. BMP4 treatment up-regulated the phosphorylation of SMAD1/5/8 complex, indicating that BMP4 mediated signal transduction in the cells. BMP4 suppressed the clonogenicity of selected leukemia and lymphoma cell lines. The regulation of BMP4 signaling may be a useful therapeutic approach for leukemia and lymphoma, if appropriate cases are selected.