Effect of depletion of NR4A3 on vascular calcification [RNA-seq]

Medial arterial calcification is a chronic systemic vascular disorder distinct from atherosclerosis and is commonly observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes mellitus, and aging individuals. We previously showed that orphan nuclear receptor NR4A3 is a key regulator in the progression of apolipoprotein (apo) A-IV-induced atherosclerosis; however, little is known about its role in vascular calcification. NR4A3 expression was upregulated in calcified aortic tissues from CKD mice or 1,25(OH)2VitD3 overload-induced mice, and in human calcified aorta. NR4A3 deficiency preserved VSMCs contractile phenotype, inhibited the expression of osteoblast differentiation-related genes, and reduced calcium deposition in the vasculature. Comparative gene expression profiling analysis of RNA-seq data for WT VSMC and NR4A3 VSMC