Abstract
Osteoblastic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is involved in the pathogenesis of vascular calcification. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gas endogenously produced by cystathionine γ-lyase in VSMC. Here we determined whether H2S plays a role in phosphate-induced osteoblastic transformation and mineralization of VSMC. Hydrogen sulfide was found to inhibit calcium deposition in the extracellular matrix and to suppress the induction of the genes involved in osteoblastic transformation of VSMC: alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and Cbfa1. Moreover, phosphate uptake and phosphate-triggered upregulation of the sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter (Pit-1) were also prevented by H2S. Reduction of endogenous production of H2S by inhibition of cystathionine γ-lyase activity resulted in increased osteoblastic transformation and mineralization. Low plasma levels of H2S, associated with decreased cystathionine γ-lyase enzyme activity, were found in patients with chronic kidney disease receiving hemodialysis. Thus, H2S is a potent inhibitor of phosphate-induced calcification and osteoblastic differentiation of VSMC. This mechanism might contribute to accelerated vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease.
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call