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Updated: May 18, 2026

Analysis of Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated Vascular Calcification Using In Vitro and In Vivo Models
Published on: January 27, 2023
[Hyperphosphatemia and cardiovascular diseases : impact of vascular calcification and endothelial dysfunction]
1Institute of Gerontology, The University of Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
High phosphate levels, even within the normal range, increase cardiovascular risk and mortality. This review explores how phosphate impacts vascular health, contributing to atherosclerosis and vascular calcification.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Nephrology
- Vascular Biology
Context:
- Hyperphosphatemia is linked to mortality in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients.
- Elevated serum phosphate, even within normal ranges, correlates with cardiovascular events in non-CRF individuals.
Purpose:
- To review current knowledge on phosphate-induced vascular wall changes.
- To elucidate the role of the phosphate axis in atherogenesis and vascular calcification.
Summary:
- Phosphate contributes to vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) calcification through osteochondrogenic differentiation and apoptosis.
- Hyperphosphatemia causes endothelial dysfunction via reduced nitric oxide release and oxidative stress, mediated by the PiT-1 cotransporter.
- These mechanisms promote vascular sclerosis and atherosis.
Impact:
- Highlights phosphate's critical role in cardiovascular disease development.
- Underscores the importance of phosphate management beyond CRF patients.
- Provides mechanistic insights into hyperphosphatemia-driven vascular pathology.
Abstract:
Hyperphosphatemia has clinically been associated with total mortality and cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Recently, higher serum phosphate levels within the normal range have been shown to be associated with substantially increased risk of cardiovascular events even in patients without CRF. Therefore, it is clear that the phosphate axis may in fact play a role in atherogenesis. Accumulating mechanistic studies regarding local effects of phosphate on the vessel wall have recently provided insight into various pathways that culminate in vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) calcification. SMC phenotypic change into osteochondrogenic differentiation and SMC apoptosis are essential roles in hyperphosphatemia-induced vascular calcification. In addition, Hyperphosphatemia induces endothelial dysfunction via various mechanisms, including a decline in nitric oxide release due to oxidative stress. The sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter PiT-1 is required for these effects. This review shows the current knowledge about phosphate-induced changes in the vascular wall, leading to atherosis and sclerosis.
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