title: Autophagy and matrix vesicles: new partners in vascular calcification.
abstract: Vascular calcification is an actively regulated process driven by vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) adaptation and ultimately dysfunction, leading to the induction of active osteogenic processes within the vessel wall. Dai et al., for the first time, identify autophagy as a novel adaptive mechanism that protects against phosphate-induced VSMC calcification, by acting to regulate apoptosis and the release of mineralizing matrix vesicles from VSMCs.
authors.affiliation: British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Cardiovascular Division, James Black Centre, King's College London, London, UK. cathy.shanahan@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Shanahan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism*; D010710:Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism*; D022142:Secretory Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism*; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D010710:Phosphates