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Zooming in on the Genesis of Atherosclerotic Plaque Microcalcifications

Overview

Overview

Journal J Physiol

Specialty Physiology

Date 2016 Apr 5

PMID 27040360

Citations 22

Authors

Authors

Jessica L Ruiz

Sheldon Weinbaum

Elena Aikawa

Joshua D Hutcheson

Affiliations

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Epidemiological evidence conclusively demonstrates that calcium burden is a significant predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. These observations have challenged the previously held notion that calcification serves to stabilize the atherosclerotic plaque. Recent studies have shown that microcalcifications that form within the fibrous cap of the plaques lead to the accrual of plaque-destabilizing mechanical stress. Given the association between calcification morphology and cardiovascular outcomes, it is important to understand the mechanisms leading to calcific mineral deposition and growth from the earliest stages. We highlight the open questions in the field of cardiovascular calcification and include a review of the proposed mechanisms involved in extracellular vesicle-mediated mineral deposition.

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