Molecular mechanism of calcification in vascular smooth muscle cells regulated by Shox2

Vascular calcification is one of the most common cardiovascular complications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and contributes to subsequent cardiovascular mortality. However, the precise mechanisms underpinning vascular calcification are not fully understood. In the present study, we report the role of Shox2 in vascular calcification. To further explore the molecular mechanism by which Shox2 regulates vascular calcification, we performed high-throughput RNA-seq to identify the target gene of Shox2. Human vascular smooth muscle cells were cultured in growth medium (GM), calcifying medium (CM) and transfected with Ad/GFP or Ad/Shox2. RNA-seq was performed to determine the downstream target of Shox2.