Mechanisms of Vascular Calcification

Dear Colleagues,

Ectopic calcifications in cardiovascular tissues are highly prevalent and closely related to cardiovascular events and mortality. Yet, no broadly applicable treatment option is available to prevent the onset of cardiovascular calcifications.

Physiologically, the fine-tuned balance between calcification inhibitors and calcium/phosphate prevents ectopic calcifications. This balance is disturbed during various pathological conditions, and ectopic calcifications may develop as consequence of an active process. Calcifying stimuli induce a phenotypical transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells, fibroblast-like cells, and endothelial cells into cells with osteoblast-like and chondroblast-like characteristics. These transdifferentiated cells can exert various procalcific effects, such as impairment of calcification inhibitors, matrix remodeling, and calcifying vesicle release. However, the complex mechanisms involved in the process of cardiovascular calcification are incompletely understood. Further research is required to advance our understanding in this calcification process and to develop new therapeutic concepts.

This Special Issue of IJMS aims to cover new insights into the mechanisms of ectopic cardiovascular calcifications. This includes all relevant observations on the development and consequences of intimal, medial, and valvular calcifications, as well as new methodological approaches.

Original investigations in preclinical models and translational human studies as well as review manuscripts are cordially invited for this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Jakob Voelkl
Guest Editor

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