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. 2017 Feb 12;2017:2803579. doi: 10.1155/2017/2803579

Figure 2.

Figure 2

Vit-D deficiency may contribute to vascular calcification through increase in Gli1 expression in CKD. Mesenchymal stem cell- (MSC-) like cells reside in the vascular wall, especially in the inner layer of tunica adventitia. Perivascular Gli1+ progenitors are key contributors to injury-induced organ fibrosis. Gli1+ adventitial cells have a critical role in vascular calcification in CKD. 1,25(OH)2-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) suppresses Gli1. Blockage of VDR by siRNA resulted in increased expression of Gli1. Vitamin D receptor regulates specific microRNA and secrets hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitors Suppressor of Fused (SuFu). The vit-D deficiency may contribute to vascular calcification through increase in Gli1 expression in CKD.