Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 31, 2025

Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis
07:26

Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis

Published on: January 31, 2025

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Hedgehog signaling is a potential therapeutic target for vascular calcification

Aoran Huang1, Lu Li1, Xiaoxu Liu1

  • 1Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China.

Gene
|May 4, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease is linked to Hedgehog signaling. Activating this pathway alleviated calcification, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Vascular calcification (VC) is a major cause of mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.
  • Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is implicated in bone mineralization and cardiovascular diseases, but its role in VC is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms of VC in human primary vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).
  • To explore the potential of targeting the Hh signaling pathway for VC treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Constructed a human VSMC calcification model and performed RNA sequencing.
  • Analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs), conducted enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses.
  • Validated key genes and used Connectivity Map (CMAP) analysis to identify potential drugs, including Hh signaling modulators SAG and cyclopamine (CPN).

Main Results:

  • Identified 166 DEGs enriched in ossification, osteoblast differentiation, and Hh signaling pathways.
  • Discovered 10 key genes and identified potential therapeutic drugs.
  • In vitro, SAG treatment alleviated VSMC calcification, while CPN exacerbated it.

Conclusions:

  • VC pathogenesis is associated with Hh signaling.
  • Targeting the Hh signaling pathway offers a promising therapeutic strategy for VC.
Abstract

Keywords:
Hedgehog pathwayOsteogenic differentiationRNA sequencingVascular calcificationVascular smooth muscle cells

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