[Molecular mechanism for regulation of vascular calcification]

Until recently, vascular calcification was considered to be a passive, degenerative, and end-stage process of vascular disease. However, the observation of bone matrix proteins in calcified vascular tissues has changed this paradigm. Vascular calcification is an actively regulated process in which vascular cells may acquire osteoblast-like function. An important regulator of vascular calcification is the levels of Inorganic Phosphate (Pi). Pi directly regulates calcification through a sodium-dependent phosphate transporter system.