Vascular Calcification: Molecular Regulation, Inflammation and Translational Perspectives
A Special Issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067) belonging to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 446
Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Vascular calcification is an actively regulated and multifactorial biological process characterized by vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic transition, extracellular matrix remodeling, and the progressive deposition of calcium–phosphate crystals within the vascular wall. Once considered a passive degenerative phenomenon, it is now recognized as a highly complex and cell-mediated process that shares molecular features with bone formation.
This pathological process is a hallmark of a wide spectrum of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, including atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and both coronary and peripheral arterial diseases. Its prevalence increases with age, yet it is also observed in younger individuals in the presence of specific risk factors or comorbidities. Importantly, vascular calcification is a strong and independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, underscoring its clinical relevance.
Recent advances have highlighted the contribution of multiple interconnected molecular mechanisms driving vascular calcification. These include chronic inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, dysregulated iron homeostasis, and imbalances in calcium–phosphate metabolism. Despite this progress, major challenges remain, particularly in the early detection of calcific lesions, the identification of effective therapeutic targets, and the development of multi-target strategies capable of halting or reversing disease progression. Bridging the gap between mechanistic insights and clinical application remains a critical priority in the field.
This Special Issue, supervised by Dr. Laia Cañes (Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research), aims to provide a comprehensive and integrative overview of the molecular and inflammatory mechanisms underlying vascular calcification. Particular emphasis will be placed on signaling networks, pathway crosstalk, and the translation of preclinical findings into clinically relevant strategies.
We are pleased to invite you to submit original research articles, as well as systematic and narrative reviews, that address these emerging aspects and contribute to advancing our understanding and management of vascular calcification.
Dr. Laia Cañes
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- vascular calcification
- inflammation
- calcium-phosphate alterations
- osteogenic differentiation
- vascular smooth muscle cells
- cardiovascular disease
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
