To test this hypothesis, we analyzed plasma BMP-2 and BMP-7 levels in the Munich Wistar Frömter (MWF) rat, a genetic model with spontaneous nondiabetic albuminuria that mirrors several features observed in patients with CKD [28], including increased oxidative stress, hypertension, alterations in elastin/collagen balance, elevated MMP-9 activity, and arterial stiffness [27,29]. The gene discussed is BMP7; the disease is chronic kidney disease.