The role of BMPs in endothelial cell function and dysfunction

•In addition to BMP2 and BMP4, BMP9 plays crucial, context-specific roles in the endothelium.•The recently coined ‘type III’ coreceptors interact with the type I and type II receptors and typically lead to endocytotic recycling of the BMP/BMP receptor complex.•BMPs activate different intracellular signaling cascades that play key roles in hypertension, vascular disorders, and atherosclerosis.

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family of proteins has a multitude of roles throughout the body. In embryonic development, BMPs promote endothelial specification and subsequent venous differentiation. The BMP pathway also plays important roles in the adult vascular endothelium, promoting angiogenesis and mediating shear and oxidative stress. The canonical BMP pathway functions through the Smad transcription factors; however, other intracellular signaling cascades can be activated, and receptor complexes beyond the traditional type I and type II receptors add additional layers of regulation. Dysregulated BMP signaling has been linked to vascular diseases including pulmonary hypertension and atherosclerosis. This review addresses recent advances in the roles of BMP signaling in the endothelium and how BMPs affect endothelial dysfunction and human disease.