Inhibition of Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signal Transduction Prevents the Medial Vascular Calcification Associated with Matrix Gla Protein Deficiency

Abstract

Inhibition of BMP signaling leads to reduced vascular calcification and improved survival in MGP(-/-) mice. The EndMT and osteogenic transdifferentiation associated with MGP deficiency is dependent upon BMP signaling. These results suggest that BMP signal transduction has critical roles in the development of vascular calcification in MGP-deficient mice.