Medial vascular calcification revisited: review and perspectives

P Lanzer, M Boehm, V Sorribas, M Thiriet… - European heart …, 2014 - academic.oup.com
P Lanzer, M Boehm, V Sorribas, M Thiriet, J Janzen, T Zeller, C St Hilaire, C Shanahan
European heart journal, 2014academic.oup.com
Vascular calcifications (VCs) are actively regulated biological processes associated with
crystallization of hydroxyapatite in the extracellular matrix and in cells of the media (VCm) or
intima (VCi) of the arterial wall. Both patterns of VC often coincide and occur in patients with
type II diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and other less frequent disorders; VCs are also
typical in senile degeneration. In this article, we review the current state of knowledge about
the pathology, molecular biology, and nosology of VCm, expand on potential mechanisms …
Abstract
Vascular calcifications (VCs) are actively regulated biological processes associated with crystallization of hydroxyapatite in the extracellular matrix and in cells of the media (VCm) or intima (VCi) of the arterial wall. Both patterns of VC often coincide and occur in patients with type II diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and other less frequent disorders; VCs are also typical in senile degeneration. In this article, we review the current state of knowledge about the pathology, molecular biology, and nosology of VCm, expand on potential mechanisms responsible for poor prognosis, and expose some of the directions for future research in this area.
Oxford University Press