Circulating bone marrow derieved osteo-progenitors in vasculature contributes towards vascular calcification

[Extract] Vascular calcification is an important determinant of cardiovascular mortality. The mechanisms responsible for vascular calcification are controversial. It has been suggested that the bone marrow derived osteo-progenitor population may contribute to the development of arterial mineralization. Osteocalcin expressing mononuclear cells (OCN+ MNCs) have recently been demonstrated within the circulation of adults and shown to have ability to carry out mineralization both in vitro and within mice. The aim of this study was to assess the association of vascular calcification with circulating bone marrow derived osteo-progenitors and stem cell mobilizing cytokines in two mice models and a human patient cohort