Conversion of vascular endothelial cells into multipotent stem-like cells

Under certain conditions, endothelial cells can transform into mesenchymal cell types, a process known as endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Damian Medici et al. now provide evidence that this type of transition contributes to the generation of the ossified lesions of individuals with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. Experiments in mice and in cultured endothelial cells indicate that activation of the ALK2 receptor in endothelial cells endows them with the ability to differentiate into a number of cell types.