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Kidney Week

Abstract: SA-PO875

Association between Circulating Osteogenic Precursors and Vascular Calcification in CKD Patients

Session Information

  • Vascular Calcification
    November 04, 2017 | Location: Hall H, Morial Convention Center
    Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Category: Mineral Disease

  • 1205 Vascular Calcification

Authors

  • Ramalho, Janaina de Almeida Mota, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
  • Bisikirska, Brygida, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, United States
  • Yin, Michael T., Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, United States
  • Kousteni, Stavroula, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, United States
  • Moyses, Rosa M.A., University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
  • Nickolas, Thomas, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, United States
Background

Vascular calcification (VC) is highly prevalent in CKD patients and is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It has been recognized as an active process mediated by trans-differentiated vascular smooth muscle cells. Previously we found and association between higher frequency of circulating osteogenic precursors (COPS) among peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), defined as lineage (LIN)-CD34-osteocalcin(OCN)+RUNX2+ cells, and higher bone strength (stiffness) measured by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). We aimed to investigate the relationship of COP cells with prevalence and severity of VC in CKD.

Methods

In 53 CKD patients from Columbia University, USA, we compared the distribution of COP cells between those with or without lower leg arterial calcification (LLAC) and wrist arterial calcification (WAC) as assessed by HR-pQCT. LLAC and WAC presence were defined as measurements ≥ 1 mgHA. We evaluated Spearman correlations between COPs (LIN-CD34-OCN+RUNX2+, LIN-CD34-OCN+RUNX2-) and CD34- and endothelial precursor cells (LIN-CD34+KDR+CD133+) and severity of VC.

Results

Mean age was 48 ± 13 years, 71% male. Of 53 with LLAC measurement, 36% had LLAC, and of 49 with WAC measurement, 24,5% had WAC. Percentage of LIN-CD34-OCN+RUNX2- cells among LIN- parental cells was significantly higher in those with than without LLAC (p = 0.04) and WAC (p=0.02). Percentage of LIN-CD34-OCN+RUNX2+ was negatively correlated with WAC (rho = -0.55, p = 0.04). We did not find significant association between endothelial precursor cells and vascular calcification.

Conclusion

Osteocalcin+ COP cells are associated with the presence and severity of vascular calcification assessed by HR-pQCT in CKD patients. The role of COP cells and its association with bone versus vascular disease should be focus of future studies.