PERK‐eIF2α‐ATF4‐CHOP Signaling Contributes to TNFα‐Induced Vascular Calcification

摘要

BackgroundVascular calcification is a common feature in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD increases serum levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFα), a critical mediator of vascular calcification. However, the molecular mechanism by which TNFα promotes CKD‐dependent vascular calcification remains obscure. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether TNFα‐induced vascular calcification in CKD is caused by the endoplasmic reticulum response involving protein kinase RNA‐like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP).