Heterotopic ossification is the formation of extraskeletal bone within soft tissues in the body. In two inherited heterotopic ossification disorders, fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva and progressive osseous heteroplasia, specific gene mutations have been identified and, as outlined in this Review, result in aberrant bone formation and abnormal regulation of cell-fate signaling pathways in patients with these disorders.
- Eileen M. Shore
- Frederick S. Kaplan