Vascular calcification predicts an increased risk for cardiovascular events/mortality in
atherosclerosis, diabetes, and ESRD. Serum concentrations of α 2-Heremens-Schmid
glycoprotein, commonly referred to as fetuin-A, are reduced in ESRD, a condition associated
with an elevated circulating calcium× phosphate product. Mice that lack fetuin-A exhibit
extensive soft tissue calcification, which is accelerated on a mineral-rich diet, suggesting that
fetuin-A acts to inhibit calcification systemically. Western blot and immunohistochemistry …