Mechanism of pi-induced vascular calcification.
Vascular calcification is clinically important in the development of cardiovascular disease. It has been suggested that apoptosis is one of the processes regulating calcification in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). In this review, we discuss the role of apoptosis in inorganic phosphate (Pi)- induced calcification, focusing on regulation of the survival pathway mediated by growth arrest- specific gene 6 (Gas6). Further, we mention the beneficial effect of statins mediated by inhibition of apoptosis which is accompanied by restoration of the Gas6-mediated survival pathway. These findings indicate that Gas6 is a novel target of statins' effects to prevent vascular calcification.
Son
Bo-Kyung
BK
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. son-tky@umin.ac.jp
Akishita
Masahiro
M
Iijima
Katsuya
K
Eto
Masato
M
Ouchi
Yasuyoshi
Y
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D010710:Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000099255:Growth Arrest-Specific Protein 6
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010710:Phosphates; D000099255:Growth Arrest-Specific Protein 6