Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Effector CCAAT/Enhancer‐binding Protein Homologous Protein (CHOP) Regulates Chronic Kidney Disease–Induced Vascular Calcification

摘要

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and vascular calcification are a major cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recently, the long‐awaited results of the Study of Heart and Renal Protection trial were reported. This large randomized clinical trial found that an extensive cholesterol‐lowering therapy through the combination of simvastatin and ezetimibe significantly reduced cardiovascular diseases in a wide range of patients with CKD. However, the mechanism by which this cholesterol‐lowering therapy reduces CKD‐dependent vascular diseases remains elusive. The objective of the present study was to determine the contribution of the oxysterol‐induced pro‐apoptotic transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) on the pathogenesis of CKD‐dependent cardiovascular diseases through endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling.