Bone Abstracts

see PP494....

The process of vascular calcification shares many similarities with that of skeletal mineralisation, and involves the deposition of hydroxyapatite crystals in arteries and cardiac muscle. However, the cellular mechanisms responsible have yet to be fully elucidated. BMP-9 has been shown to exert direct effects on both bone development and vascular function. In the present study, we have investigated the role of BMP-9 in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification. Murine V...

The process of vascular calcification shares many similarities with that of skeletal mineralisation, and involves the phenotypic trans-differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to osteoblastic and chondrocytic cells within a calcified environment. Various microRNAs (miRs) are known to regulate cell differentiation, however their role in mediating VSMC calcification has yet to be fully understood.Murine VSMCs were cultured for up to 28 days ...

Increasing interest is focusing on the role of the FGF-23/Klotho axis in mediating vascular calcification. However, the underpinning mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. Murine VSMCs were cultured in calcifying medium for a 21-day period. FGF-23 mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated by 7 days (1.63-fold; P<0.001), with a concomitant increase in protein expression. mRNA and protein expression of both FGFR1 and Klotho were confirmed. Increased FGF-23...

Vascular calcification (VC) involves hydroxyapatite deposition in the arteries and cardiac muscle. VC is thought to share some outward similarities to skeletal mineralisation and has been associated with the transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to an osteoblast-like phenotype. We have previously shown that ATP, UTP and synthetic ATP-analogues (α, β-meATP, β, γ-meATP, Bz-ATP) (≥1 μM) act to potently inhibit both bone minera...