Interactions between FGF21 and BMP-2 in osteogenesis

► FGF21 enhanced BMP-2-dependent transcription. ► FGF21 enhanced BMP-2-dependent osteogenesis in C2C12 cells. ► FGF21 enhanced BMP-2-dependent Smad pathway. ► BMP-2 negatively regulates FGF21 mRNA expression. Lifestyle-related diseases are increasing and the challenge to create innovative drugs to treat such diseases is a main focus in medical science research. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a powerful modulator of glucose and lipid metabolism, and is an innovative candidate drug already in clinical trials for type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Bone fragility and impaired fracture healing induced by such lifestyle-related conditions are also a growing problem. Bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) are well known osteogenic growth factors, and BMP-2 is used to augment bone formation in difficult clinical situations. There are many documented interactions between the FGF and BMP family proteins, although the interaction between FGF21 and BMP-2 remains unknown. The aim of this study was to reveal the effect of FGF21 toward BMP-2-dependent osteogenic activity, using C2C12 cells as a model system. We found that FGF21 enhanced BMP-2-dependent transcription and osteogenesis in the C2C12 cell line, which was confirmed by alkaline phosphatase activity, matrix mineralization, and gene expression. Mechanistically, FGF21 enhanced BMP-2-induced intracellular signaling through Smad proteins, but not through p44/42MAPK proteins. Furthermore, we identified a negative feedback loop in which BMP-2 decreased endogenous FGF21 mRNA expression. In summary, this study demonstrates interactions between BMP-2 and FGF21 pathways exist in vitro, and that FGF21 enhances the osteogenic activity of BMP-2 by up-regulating the BMP-2-dependent Smad signaling pathway.