[Cytokines in bone diseases. BMP signaling and fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva]

Abstract

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by progressive heterotopic bone formation in skeletal muscle tissue. In 2007, FOP was authorized as one of the Intractable Disorders by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. The Research Committee on FOP is working on the molecular mechanisms underlying heterotopic bone formation and the development of new treatments for FOP.