Role of Vitamin D in Uremic Vascular Calcification

Figure 2

Vit-D deficiency may contribute to vascular calcification through increase in Gli1 expression in CKD. Mesenchymal stem cell- (MSC-) like cells reside in the vascular wall, especially in the inner layer of tunica adventitia. Perivascular Gli1+ progenitors are key contributors to injury-induced organ fibrosis. Gli1+ adventitial cells have a critical role in vascular calcification in CKD. 1,25(OH)₂-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25(OH)₂D₃) suppresses Gli1. Blockage of VDR by siRNA resulted in increased expression of Gli1. Vitamin D receptor regulates specific microRNA and secrets hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitors Suppressor of Fused (SuFu). The vit-D deficiency may contribute to vascular calcification through increase in Gli1 expression in CKD.