Journal Article

Calcification in Atherosclerosis: Bone Biology and Chronic Inflammation at the Arterial Crossroads

Detrano, Robert C., Fitzpatrick, Lorraine A., Qiao, Jian-Hua, Shah, Prediman K., Doherty, Terence M., Asotra, Kamlesh, Dunstan, Colin R., Rajavashisth, Tripathi B., Wilkin, Douglas J.

2003

Overview

Dystrophic or ectopic mineral deposition occurs in many pathologic conditions, including atherosclerosis. Calcium mineral deposits that frequently accompany atherosclerosis are readily quantifiable radiographically, serve as a surrogate marker for the disease, and predict a higher risk of myocardial infarction and death. Accelerating research interest has been propelled by a clear need to understand how plaque structure, composition, and stability lead to devastating cardiovascular events. In atherosclerotic plaque, accumulating evidence is consistent with the notion that calcification involves the participation of arterial osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Here we summarize current models of intimal arterial plaque calcification and highlight intriguing questions that require further investigation. Because atherosclerosis is a chronic vascular inflammation, we propose that arterial plaque calcification is best conceptualized as a convergence of bone biology with vascular inflammatory pathobiology.

• Publisher: National Academy of Sciences,National Acad Sciences
• Subject: Animals / Arteries / Arteries - physiopathology / Atherosclerosis / Bone and Bones - physiopathology / Bone Development / Bone mineralization / Bones / Calcinosis / Calcium / Cardiovascular disease / Chondrocytes / Chronic Disease / Humans / Inflammation - physiopathology / Medical research / Mice / Minerals / Myocardial infarction / Osteoclasts / Perspectives / Pulmonary arteries / Stem cells / Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Vascular calcification