BMP3 expression in the adult rat CNS

•We investigated BMP3 expression in the adult rat CNS using immunohistochemistry.•BMP3 is abundantly expressed throughout the adult CNS.•We observed that BMP3 is expressed in many kinds of neurons.•We detected that BMP3 is expressed in many kinds of axons.•We also exhibited BMP3 expression in astrocytes and ependymal cells.

Bone morphogenetic protein-3 (BMP3) is a very unique member of the TGF-β superfamily, because it functions as an antagonist to both the canonical BMP and activin pathways and plays important roles in multiple biological events. Although BMP3 expression has been described in the early development of the kidney, intestine and bone, little information is available for BMP3 expression in the central nervous system (CNS). We, thus, investigated BMP3 expression in the adult rat CNS using immunohistochemistry. BMP3 was intensely expressed in most neurons and their axons. Furthermore, we found that astrocytes and ependymal cells also express BMP3 protein. These data indicate that BMP3 is widely expressed throughout the adult CNS, and its abundant expression in the adult brain strongly supports the idea that BMP3 plays important roles in the adult brain.