title: Distribution of alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, RANK ligand and osteoprotegerin in calcified human carotid atheroma.
abstract: Ectopic vascular calcification is a significant component of atherosclerotic disease. Osteopontin (OPN), Osteoprotegerin (OPG), Receptor Activator of NFκB Ligand (RANKL), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) are each thought to play central roles in the calcification or demineralization of atherosclerotic lesions. Abnormalities in the balance of these proteins may lead to perturbations in bone remodeling and arterial calcification. The purpose of this study was to measure the distribution of these proteins in human carotid lesions and to elucidate possible mechanism(s) whereby they control the deposition or depletion of arterial calcification. Thirty-three patients who had undergone carotid endarterectomy (CEA) within the previous 18 months and 11 control patients were enrolled. CEA specimens were analyzed by EBCT for calcification content in terms of Agatston (AGAT) and Volume scores. CEA specimens were then cut into 5 mm segments which were homogenized and extracted. Extracts were analyzed for tissue levels of calcium, phosphorus, ALP, OPN, RANKL, and OPG. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for the same components. In CEA tissue segments, the calcification levels (CHA AGAT) were inversely associated with the levels of OPG (r = -0.432/-0.579, p < 0.05) and positively associated with the levels of RANKL (r = 0.332/0.415, p < 0.05). In turn, the tissue levels of OPG were associated with homologous serum levels of OPG (r = 0.820/0.389, p < 0.001), and the tissue levels of RANKL were associated with the serum levels of homologous RANKL (r = 0.739/0.666, p < 0.0001). This study suggests that serum levels of OPG and RANKL may be useful biomarkers for estimating the degree of calcification in carotid atherosclerotic lesions.
authors: Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
authors: Catherine L
authors: CL
authors: Higgins
authors: Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
authors: Salim
authors: S
authors: Isbilir
authors: Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
authors: Pamela
authors: P
authors: Basto
authors: Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
authors: Iou Yih
authors: IY
authors: Chen
authors: Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, A601, 6565 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
authors: Muthiah
authors: M
authors: Vaduganathan
authors: Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, A601, 6565 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
authors: Periyanan
authors: P
authors: Vaduganathan
authors: Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, A601, 6565 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Reardon
authors: Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, A601, 6565 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
authors: Gerald
authors: G
authors: Lawrie
authors: Department of Public Health, The Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA.
authors: Leif
authors: L
authors: Peterson
authors: Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. morriset@bcm.tmc.edu.|Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, A601, 6565 Fannin St., Houston, TX, 77030, USA. morriset@bcm.tmc.edu.
authors: Joel D
authors: JD
authors: Morrisett
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002114:Calcinosis; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000378:metabolism*; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000378:metabolism*; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000378:metabolism*; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D053245:RANK Ligand; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B; C505686:TNFRSF11A protein, human; D053495:Osteopontin; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Calcification; Osteopontin; Osteoprotegerin; RANKL