title: BMP-6 and mesenchymal stem cell differentiation.
abstract: Bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6) is produced by bone marrow-mesenchymal (BMSC) and hematopoietic stem cells, which can differentiate into bone, cartilage, adipose, muscle, hematopoietic, synovial and other tissues. Bmp6-/- null mice have low hepcidin serum levels and an iron overload, resembling hereditary hemochromatosis, which may cause a reduced number of pancreatic beta-cells, increased serum glucose and diabetes. BMP-6 circulates in the normal human plasma and is produced by BMSC prior to differentiation into osteoblasts. Moreover, it is also released by osteoclasts as a key bone coupling factor recruiting osteoblasts to the resorption site. Due to unique structural, receptor binding and signaling characteristics much smaller amounts of BMP-6 than BMP-7 are needed in vivo to induce regeneration of bone defects in animals.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Mineralized Tissues, Center for Translational Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Salata 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. vukicev@mef.hr
authors.forename: Slobodan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vukicevic
authors.forename: Lovorka
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grgurevic
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055418:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D020219:Chondrogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D055418:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6