# Mechanisms of vascular and valvular calcification

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2020 · $933,000

## Abstract

Vascular calcification (VC), the inappropriate deposition of calcium phosphate salts in
cardiac valve and vasculature, is increased with aging, certain genetic disorders, valve
disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Calcification of
these normally compliant organs leads to increased stiffness and/or tendency to rupture,
and has severe impacts on hemodynamics and cardiovascular function. Despite the
recognized deleterious effects of vascular calcium accrual in blood vessels and valves,
there are currently no drug therapies available to directly prevent or treat VC. In the past
20 years, Dr. Giachelli's lab has led studies leading to the paradigm-shifting view that VC
is a genetically regulated and cell-mediated process, and thus potentially amenable to
treatment. These studies have revealed major genetic pathways, cell types and cellular
processes that control the initiation and promotion of VC. Moving forward, the challenge
is to understand which of these processes is most important under various disease
settings, and key mechanistic pathways and/or deficiencies that might be targeted for
therapeutic purposes. Thus, the proposed studies focus on understanding the
mechanisms by which 1) vascular and valvular cells undergo osteoblast and
chondrocyte-like differentiation, 2) phosphate and phosphate transporters regulate VC,
and 3) failed anticalcific mechanisms contribute to VC. The proposed studies are an
extension of our previous and current work that aim to identify biomarkers, therapeutic
targets and therapies to treat this debilitating process.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9844004
- **Project number:** 5R35HL139602-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Cecilia M Giachelli
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $933,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-01-01 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9844004

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9844004, Mechanisms of vascular and valvular calcification (5R35HL139602-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9844004. Licensed CC0.

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