Perspectives in the biological function, the technical and therapeutic application of bone morphogenetic proteins

The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belong to the transforming growth fa ctor P superfamily of growth and differentiation factors and have been char acterized by their ability to induce new bone formation in ectopic (non-ske letal) sites. BMPs are secreted molecules and are key regulators in early e mbryogenesis and organogenesis. One of the many functions of BMPs is to ind uce cartilage, bone, and connective tissue formation in vertebrates. This o steo-inductive capacity of BMPs has long been considered very promising for applications in bone repair, in the treatment of skeletal diseases, and in oral applications such as dentiogenesis and cementogenesis during regenera tion of periodontal wounds. We discuss here biological roles of the BMPs in the organism and their signaling cascades leading to bone and cartilage fo rmation in particular. It is also the aim of this review to evaluate the po tential and the problems of BMPs in skeletal tissue engineering for the reg eneration of bone damaged by disease or trauma and to serve as therapeutic agents for periodontal defects.