Gla-rich protein acts as a calcification inhibitor in the human cardiovascular system. | - CCMAR -

Journal Article

TítuloGla-rich protein acts as a calcification inhibitor in the human cardiovascular system.
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsViegas, CSB, Rafael, MS, Enriquez, JL, Teixeira, A, Vitorino, R, Luís, IM, Costa, RM, Santos, S, Cavaco, S, Neves, J, Macedo, AL, Willems, BAG, Vermeer, C, Simes, DC
Year of Publication2015
JournalArterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol
Volume35
Questão2
Date Published2015 Feb
Pagination399-408
ISSN1524-4636
Palavras-chaveActins, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein, Aorta, Aortic Valve, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Calcinosis, Calcium, Calcium-Binding Proteins, Case-Control Studies, Coronary Artery Disease, Coronary Vessels, Extracellular Matrix Proteins, Female, Gene Expression Regulation, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Osteocalcin, Proteins, Tissue Culture Techniques, Vascular Calcification
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Vascular and valvular calcifications are pathological processes regulated by resident cells, and depending on a complex interplay between calcification promoters and inhibitors, resembling skeletal metabolism. Here, we study the role of the vitamin K-dependent Gla-rich protein (GRP) in vascular and valvular calcification processes.APPROACH AND RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that GRP expression and accumulation are upregulated with calcification simultaneously with osteocalcin and matrix Gla protein (MGP). Using conformation-specific antibodies, both γ-carboxylated GRP and undercarboxylated GRP species were found accumulated at the sites of mineral deposits, whereas undercarboxylated GRP was predominant in calcified aortic valve disease valvular interstitial cells. Mineral-bound GRP, MGP, and fetuin-A were identified by mass spectrometry. Using an ex vivo model of vascular calcification, γ-carboxylated GRP but not undercarboxylated GRP was shown to inhibit calcification and osteochondrogenic differentiation through α-smooth muscle actin upregulation and osteopontin downregulation. Immunoprecipitation assays showed that GRP is part of an MGP-fetuin-A complex at the sites of valvular calcification. Moreover, extracellular vesicles released from normal vascular smooth muscle cells are loaded with GRP, MGP, and fetuin-A, whereas under calcifying conditions, released extracellular vesicles show increased calcium loading and GRP and MGP depletion.CONCLUSIONS: GRP is an inhibitor of vascular and valvular calcification involved in calcium homeostasis. Its function might be associated with prevention of calcium-induced signaling pathways and direct mineral binding to inhibit crystal formation/maturation. Our data show that GRP is a new player in mineralization competence of extracellular vesicles possibly associated with the fetuin-A-MGP calcification inhibitory system. GRP activity was found to be dependent on its γ-carboxylation status, with potential clinical relevance.

DOI10.1161/ATVBAHA.114.304823
Sapientia

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25538207?dopt=Abstract

Alternate JournalArterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol.
PubMed ID25538207