Fig. 2. Calciprotein particles impair VSMC-mediated regulation of aortic mechanics.

Aortic segments (from the thoracic descending aorta and the abdominal infrarenal aorta) were incubated with 150 µg/mL [Ca²⁺]_CPP for 24 h in the ROTSAC. Afterwards, aortic segments were stimulated with 2 µM phenylephrine (PE) to induce vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) contraction. A–H Biomechanical analysis of aortic segments, incubated with CPPs, after inducing VSMC contraction. Statistical analyses: Two-Way ANOVA with a Sidak post hoc test for multiple comparisons. Non-responders to PE were excluded from the analysis Control/CPP1; n = 9. E–G Control/CPP2 – thoracic aorta; n = 7. E, F, H Control-infrarenal aorta; n = 5. E, F, H CPP2-infrarenal aorta; n = 6. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ****p < 0.0001. Error bars represent standard error of the mean (SEM). PE Phenylephrine, CPP1 Primary calciprotein particle, CPP2 Secondary calciprotein particle.