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Updated: Sep 5, 2025

Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
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[Dual-specificity Phosphatase 1 Suppresses Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Calcification by Optical Atrophy 1-related

Wei-Ren Chen1,2, Xia Huo2, Yu-Jie Zhou1

  • 1Department of Cardiology,Beijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases,Beijing Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine of Coronary Atherosclerotic Disease,Clinical Center for Coronary Heart Disease of Capital Medical University,Beijing Anzhen Hospital,Capital Medical University,Beijing 100029,China.

Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao. Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae
|July 6, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Dual-specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) may inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification by regulating the optical atrophy 1 (OPA1) pathway. This study found DUSP1 overexpression reduced VSMC calcification and apoptosis.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Biology
  • Cellular Signaling
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification is a hallmark of atherosclerosis.
  • The dual-specificity phosphatase 1/optical atrophy 1 (DUSP1/OPA1) signaling pathway's role in VSMC calcification remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of the DUSP1/OPA1 signaling pathway on VSMC calcification.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying DUSP1's influence on VSMC calcification.

Main Methods:

  • An in vitro model of VSMC calcification was established using β-glycerophosphate and calcium chloride.
  • Assays included Alizarin Red S staining, ELISA for calcium content, TUNEL assay for apoptosis, and Western blotting for key protein expression (DUSP1, OPA1, Runx-2, BMP-2, Caspase-3).
  • Functional studies involved DUSP1 overexpression and OPA1 knockdown.

Main Results:

  • VSMC calcification induced by calcium chloride and β-glycerolphosphate led to decreased DUSP1 and OPA1 expression.
  • DUSP1 overexpression attenuated VSMC calcification, reduced calcium content and apoptosis, and downregulated Runx-2, BMP-2, and active Caspase-3.
  • OPA1 knockdown exacerbated VSMC calcification, increased calcium content and apoptosis, and upregulated Runx-2, BMP-2, and active Caspase-3.

Conclusions:

  • DUSP1 plays an inhibitory role in VSMC calcification.
  • The DUSP1/OPA1 signaling pathway is a critical regulator of VSMC calcification.
  • Targeting the DUSP1/OPA1 pathway may offer a therapeutic strategy for vascular calcification.
Keywords:
dual-specificity phosphatase 1optical atrophy 1vascular calcificationvascular smooth muscle cellβ-glycerolphosphate

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