The BMP4/BMPRII-BMPRIA axis drives cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis by cross-regulating cGMP/PKG and p38 pathways

Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4) has been implicated in this process, yet its receptor-mediated signaling mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study aims to elucidate the functional roles of specific BMP receptors—namely BMPRIA and BMPRII—in mediating BMP4-induced pathological cardiac remodeling.

Using a combination of transcriptomic profiling in human AC16 cardiomyocytes and validation through pharmacological inhibition, we seek to uncover the downstream signaling pathways responsible for BMP4-driven hypertrophy and fibrosis. The overarching goal is to identify novel receptor-specific therapeutic targets that could enable early intervention or reversal of established cardiac remodeling, potentially through the restoration of cardioprotective cGMP/PKG signaling.