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Pathophysiology of Vascular Calcification

  • Skeletal Biology and Regulation (MR Forwood and A Robling, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Vascular calcification can lead to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The initiating factors and clinical consequences depend on the underlying disease state and location of the calcification. The pathogenesis of vascular calcification is complex and involves a transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells to an osteo/chondrocytic cell that expresses RUNX2 and produces matrix vesicles. The imbalance of promoters (such as hyperphosphatemia and hypercalcemia) and inhibitors (e.g., fetuin-A) is critical in the development of vascular calcification. The altered mineral metabolism and deficiency in inhibitors are common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is one reason why vascular calcification is so prevalent in that population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 950 W. Walnut Street, R2-202, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Neal X. Chen & Sharon M. Moe

  2. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 950 W. Walnut Street, R2-202, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Sharon M. Moe

  3. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Sharon M. Moe

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  1. Neal X. Chen
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Correspondence to Neal X. Chen.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Skeletal Biology and Regulation

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Chen, N.X., Moe, S.M. Pathophysiology of Vascular Calcification. Curr Osteoporos Rep 13, 372–380 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-015-0293-9

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