Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
08:43

Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation

Published on: May 31, 2016

BMP signaling in vascular development and disease

Jonathan W Lowery1, Mark P de Caestecker

  • 1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.

Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews
|August 3, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is vital for embryonic vascular development and adult vascular health. This review clarifies controversies surrounding BMP signaling in intact vasculature.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Biology
  • Molecular Signaling
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathways are crucial for embryonic vascular development.
  • BMP signaling also influences vascular homeostasis and disease in adult organisms.
  • Existing discrepancies between in vitro and in vivo studies, and varied functions across vascular beds, create controversy in the field.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an updated overview of BMP signaling biology and genetics.
  • To clarify existing controversies regarding BMP signaling in the vasculature.
  • To reconcile in vitro and in vivo findings in the context of intact vasculature.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of genetic and functional studies on BMP signaling.
  • Analysis of BMP pathway components in embryonic and adult vascular systems.
  • Synthesis of data from diverse vascular beds to identify common and distinct roles.

Main Results:

  • BMP signaling components have established roles in embryonic vascular development.
  • BMP signaling impacts adult vascular homeostasis and contributes to vascular diseases.
  • Distinct functional properties of BMP signaling exist across different vascular beds, leading to complex interpretations.

Conclusions:

  • Reconciling in vitro and in vivo data is essential for understanding BMP signaling in vasculature.
  • A comprehensive overview of BMP biology and genetics is needed to address current controversies.
  • Further research clarifying BMP signaling in intact vasculature will advance the field.

More Related Videos

Visualization and Quantification of TGFβ/BMP/SMAD Signaling under Different Fluid Shear Stress Conditions using Proximity-Ligation-Assay11:38

Visualization and Quantification of TGFβ/BMP/SMAD Signaling under Different Fluid Shear Stress Conditions using Proximity-Ligation-Assay

Published on: September 14, 2021

A Method for Labeling Vasculature in Embryonic Mice09:58

A Method for Labeling Vasculature in Embryonic Mice

Published on: October 7, 2011

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
Mechanism of Angiogenesis01:10

Mechanism of Angiogenesis

Blood vessel formation starts early during embryonic development, around day 7. In the extraembryonic yolk sac, mesodermal precursor cells called hemangioblast proliferate and differentiate into angioblast. Angioblasts express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 or VEGFR2, which binds VEGF-A, a proangiogenic factor, guiding blood vessel formation. VEGF signaling promotes angioblasts to form a blood island in the developing embryo. Angioblasts further differentiate, giving rise to...
Overview of the Vascular System01:20

Overview of the Vascular System

The vascular system comprises an extensive network of arteries, capillaries, and veins. The vascular system can be broadly divided into the blood and lymphatic systems. Typically, blood vessels can be categorized into three histological regions: tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica adventitia. The tunica intima consists of a single layer of endothelial cells attached to the basal lamina. Underlying the basal lamina is a connective tissue layer and an elastic lamina that gives stability and...
Cell Signaling in Plants01:25

Cell Signaling in Plants

Plant cells communicate to coordinate their cycle of growth, flowering and fruiting, and activities in roots, shoots, and leaves in response to the changing environmental conditions. Plant signaling is distinct from animal signaling. Plants primarily utilize enzyme-linked receptors, whereas the largest class of cell-surface receptors in animals are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Unlike animals, receptor tyrosine kinases are rare in plants. Instead, plants have a diverse class of...
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...