Abstract: TH-PO0303
Exploring the Relationship Between Epiphycan and CKD-Associated Vascular Calcification: Construction of a Predictive Model
Session Information
- Hypertension and CVD: Clinical - 1
November 06, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Hypertension and CVD
- 1602 Hypertension and CVD: Clinical
Authors
- Di, Yan, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Chen, Sijie, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Tang, Rining, Nanjing University Medical School Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Background
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health issue, with vascular calcification (VC) being an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in CKD patients. Therapeutic options for CKD-associated VC (CKD-VC) are limited, highlighting the need to explore therapeutic targets and underlying mechanisms. Our study investigates whether Epiphycan (EPYC), a protein in the extracellular matrix, contributes to VC and aims to establish a risk prediction model for CKD-VC, as well as to construct a nomogram.
Methods
Transcriptomic analysis was performed on vascular tissues from hemodialysis patients after arteriovenous fistula surgery, followed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining to examine the relationship between EPYC and VC. A cross-sectional study was conducted in CKD patients. Pearson/Spearman correlation analysis assessed the association between EPYC and VC volume. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis evaluated the diagnostic performance of EPYC. Three prediction models were constructed: 1. predictive factors, 2. EPYC, and 3. EPYC and predictive factors. Model performance was assessed using the Akaike information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC). The optimal model was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC curve and other indicators.
Results
Transcriptomic analysis showed significant upregulation of EPYC in CKD-VC (Log2 FC=5.74, p<0.01). Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining further confirmed high EPYC enrichment in CKD-VC vascular tissues. Clinical analysis showed: (1) significantly elevated serum EPYC levels in CKD-VC (p=0.014), positively correlated with VC volume (r=0.82, p<0.01); (2) ROC curve analysis showed an AUC of 0.700, with 90.7% sensitivity and 50.0% specificity. We found the model combining EPYC with predictive factors performed optimally (AIC=110.5, BIC=125.7), with an AUC of 0.816, 92.9% sensitivity, and 80.0% specificity. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test (p>0.05) confirmed that the model had good calibration. A nomogram was constructed based on the optimal model.
Conclusion
Our study confirms that EPYC is highly expressed in CKD-VC patients and closely related to VC volume, providing insights for exploring therapeutic targets for CKD-VC. The nomogram provides a visual and practical tool for auxiliary diagnosis of CKD-VC, with significant clinical application value.
Funding
- Government Support – Non-U.S.