Reduced expression of ATF4 in global ATF4-haplodeficient and SMC-specific <i>Atf4</i> KO mice reduced medial and atherosclerotic calcification under normal kidney and CKD conditions.
We recently reported that activation of the activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) pathway through the saturated fatty acid (SFA)-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response plays a causative role in CKD-associated vascular calcification.
Serum PTH and bone PTH1R/ATF4 expression was elevated in CKD-3 compared with other groups, and it positively correlated with femur weight, BMD, and the biomechanical properties of the femoral diaphysis reflecting cortical bone strength.