Bone morphogenetic proteins is a pleiotropic cytokine belonging to the superfamily of transforming growth factor type B. They are bound by two different types of receptors with an activity of serine-threonine kinase. Intracellular second messenger signal are Smad proteins. R-Smad phosphorylation leads to the formation of a complex with Co-Smad, which is transported to the nucleus and regulates transcription of selected genes. The transmission signal is modulated by a variety of biological factors.

Acute-phase response induced by infection, tumor growth or injury results in the release of secondary mediators - cytokines, whose role is to restore homeostasis in the body. Overproduction of cytokines can lead to many diseases, or even death. Therefore, the compounds are constantly being sought inhibitors of cytokine synthesis.