Calcification in atherosclerotic plaque of human carotid arteries: associations with mast cells and macrophages

Chlamydia pneumoniaein foci of “early” calcification of the tunica media in arteriosclerotic arteries: an incidental presence?

“…Inflammatory cells such as macrophages and mast cells infiltrating plaque lipid-rich regions play an important role in atherosclerotic calcification (21,31). In contrast to intimal calcification, medial calcification is known to occur in the absence of inflammatory cell infiltration and lipid deposition (21,31). In this respect, the present study provides confirmatory observations demonstrating that SMCs are the only cell type present in foci of medial calcification.…”

“…These two processes differ not only in morphology, but also in the pathological mechanisms involved (29,31). Inflammatory cells such as macrophages and mast cells infiltrating plaque lipid-rich regions play an important role in atherosclerotic calcification (21,31). In contrast to intimal calcification, medial calcification is known to occur in the absence of inflammatory cell infiltration and lipid deposition (21,31).…”

PET and PET–CT imaging in the diagnosis and characterization of atheroma

“…This is confirmed by epidemiologic studies relating cardiac events to atherosclerotic disease burden [51,52]. This concept also fits with the evolving understanding of the pathophysiology of coronary calcification, which implicates inflammatory cells as mediators of vascular [53,54] …”

Elevated phosphorus modulates vitamin D receptor-mediated gene expression in human vascular smooth muscle cells

“…Vascular calcification, the deposition of calcium and phosphate mineral in arteries, has emerged as an important risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality (9). Two distinct forms of calcification have been reported in the vessels (10,26): intimal calcification is often associated with inflammation and atherosclerosis (10), whereas medial calcification occurs in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) (26). CKD patients, who experience a high mortality rate from CV diseases (8), have two-to fivefold more coronary artery medial calcification than age-and sex-matched individuals (3,17,25).…”