BMP-7: osteogenic protein-1
The other clinically applied bone morphogenetic protein, and what comparing it with BMP-2 reveals.
BMP-7, also called osteogenic protein-1, is the second bone morphogenetic protein to reach clinical application. Like BMP-2 it signals through the TGF-β superfamily pathway and drives osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.
The family is larger than these two — BMP-4, BMP-6, and BMP-9 all show osteoinductive activity in published work, and BMP-9 is among the most potent in vitro. That the two clinically established members are not necessarily the most potent is a useful reminder that translation depends on manufacturability, stability, and safety as much as raw biological activity, a theme of Translation in regenerative medicine.
Comparative studies of BMP-2 and BMP-7 have generally found both effective in bone induction, with differences more apparent in carrier and dosing than in the molecules themselves — again pointing at delivery as the limiting variable.
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