Figure 5.

Schematic of cell-mediated regulatory relays that contribute to aortic calcification. Pathophysiologic mechanisms driving aortic calcification can be organized into major categories that converge on common pathways characteristic of inflammaging and innate immune responses. Although not depicted, thermodynamically driven “metastatic” calcification mechanisms also occur, most prominently in settings of severe hypercalcemia or hyperphosphatemia (eg, calciphylaxis), largely independent of active cellular regulation. See text for details. CKD indicates chronic kidney disease; and ROS, reactive oxygen species.