Mechanisms of arterial calcification: spotlight on the inhibitors.

Similarities in the mechanisms of vascular calcification and the processes of bone and cartilage mineralization have come to light in recent years. Although formerly thought to be an inactive process of hydroxyapatite crystal precipitation, presently, vascular calcification is considered a regulated type of tissue mineralization. Moreover, different pathways of tissue mineralization are discussed. Pathological types of calcification are correlated with aging, metabolic disorders, chronic low-grade inflammation, and with genetic and acquired dysregulation of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) metabolism. This chapter focuses on recent developments in understanding the mechanisms of vascular calcification with special emphasis on the particular calcification pathway and the impact of deficient inhibition of calcification.