Reduced expression of BMPR-IB correlates with poor prognosis and increased proliferation of breast cancer cells

Background: Breast cancer is the leading female cancer in the UK. Recent work has shown that Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) and their receptors may be involved in the progression of breast cancer. The aim of the current study is to identify the role of BMPR-IB, one of these receptors, in breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Expression of BMPR-IB was examined in a cohort of breast tissue samples. The transcript level was determined using quantitative real time-PCR and protein levels were assessed with immunohistochemical staining (IHC). Constructed ribozyme transgenes were used to knock-down BMPR-IB in MDA-MB-231 cells, and the effect this had on in vitro cell growth was examined. Results: Decreased staining of BMPR-IB was seen in most of the breast tumour samples examined compared to normal breast tissues. Q-PCR analysis revealed lower expression levels of BMPR-IB transcript in patient samples with a predicted poor prognosis (Nottingham prognosis index (NPI) >5.4) (8.2±17, p=0.03) compared to samples with a good prognosis (NPI