BMPing up angiogenesis via BMPER.

Over the past 20 years, there has been considerable interest in the elucidation of factors that mediate angiogenesis. Early efforts, including Michaelson’s description of “Factor X” in mediating retinal neovascularization and Folkman’s attempts at isolating “tumor angiogenesis factor,” have blossomed into a plethora of investigations identifying regulators, both positive and negative, of blood vessel formation.1,2 These efforts led to the identification of factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor, acidand basic-fibroblast growth factor, angiogenin, and angiopoietins, to name a few.3–5 Subsequent detailed investigations have revealed that finely tuned and precisely coordinated expression of these factors is critical for angiogenesis during both development and adult life. Failure to coordinate expression has significant implications, as excess angiogenesis can contribute to tumor growth and inflammatory disorders, whereas insufficient angiogenesis can contribute to ischemic heart disease and preeclampsia.6