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Lu KC, Hung KC, Liao MT, Shih LJ, Chao CT. Vascular Calcification Heterogeneity from Bench to Bedside: Implications for Manifestations, Pathogenesis, and Treatment Considerations. Aging Dis 2024:AD.2024.0289. [PMID: 38739930 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2024.0289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Vascular calcification (VC) is the ectopic deposition of calcium-containing apatite within vascular walls, exhibiting a high prevalence in older adults, and those with diabetes or chronic kidney disease. VC is a subclinical cardiovascular risk trait that increases mortality and functional deterioration. However, effective treatments for VC remain largely unavailable despite multiple attempts. Part of this therapeutic nihilism results from the failure to appreciate the diversity of VC as a pathological complex, with unforeseeable variations in morphology, risk associates, and anatomical and molecular pathogenesis, affecting clinical management strategies. VC should not be considered a homogeneous pathology because accumulating evidence refutes its conceptual and content uniformity. Here, we summarize the pathophysiological sources of VC heterogeneity from the intersecting pathways and networks of cellular, subcellular, and molecular crosstalk. Part of these pathological connections are synergistic or mutually antagonistic. We then introduce clinical implications related to the VC heterogeneity concept. Even within the same individual, a specific artery may exhibit the strongest tendency for calcification compared with other arteries. The prognostic value of VC may only be detectable with a detailed characterization of calcification morphology and features. VC heterogeneity is also evident, as VC risk factors vary between different arterial segments and layers. Therefore, diagnostic and screening strategies for VC may be improved based on VC heterogeneity, including the use of radiomics. Finally, pursuing a homogeneous treatment strategy is discouraged and we suggest a more rational approach by diversifying the treatment spectrum. This may greatly benefit subsequent efforts to identify effective VC therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Cheng Lu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Chin Hung
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Min-Sheng General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmacy, Tajen University, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Min-Tser Liao
- Department of Pediatrics, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Jane Shih
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ter Chao
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Toxicology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Center of Faculty Development, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Min-Sheng General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Tucker WJ, Tucker B, Januszewski AS, Jenkins AJ, Keech AC, Kestenbaum BR, Allison MA, Rye KA, Ong KL. Association of circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 levels with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis. Clin Chim Acta 2024; 555:117799. [PMID: 38309558 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2024.117799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) levels are often elevated in cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, no study has assessed its association with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in a population free of clinically evident CVD. METHODS A total of 5543 Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) participants (mean age 62.7 years, 47.5 % male), free of clinically evident CVD at baseline, were studied. From baseline (2000-2002), 1606 deaths (including 387 CVD deaths) were observed over a median follow-up of 17.7 years. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the association of plasma FGF21 levels with mortality. RESULTS FGF21 levels at baseline were associated with all-cause mortality, even after adjustment for traditional risk factors, including demographic, socioeconomic and cardiovascular risk factors (adjusted hazard ratio 1.08 [95% confidence interval 1.01, 1.16] per 1 SD increase in ln-transformed levels; 1.27 for the highest vs, lowest quartile). Baseline FGF21 levels were significantly associated with both CVD and non-CVD mortality in unadjusted models. However, the association with non-CVD mortality, but not CVD mortality, remained statistically significant after adjusting for covariates. Similar results were obtained in FGF21 quartile analyses and also when using competing risk regression or matched case-control cohort in sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS In subjects without clinically-evident CVD at baseline, over 17.7 years follow-up there is a modest association of baseline FGF21 levels with all-cause mortality. The finding that this is driven primarily by a significant association with non-CVD mortality over almost two decades merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Tucker
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bradley Tucker
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Alicia J Jenkins
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony C Keech
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bryan R Kestenbaum
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Matthew A Allison
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Kerry-Anne Rye
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kwok Leung Ong
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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