Seminars

Abstract

Ectopic calcification is the abnormal deposition of calcium salts (apatite) in soft tissues including valves, blood vessels, joints, muscle and the brain. Typically a result of disease and aging, it is also a frequent complication of severe trauma, including spinal cord and brain injury, and a major mode of failure for bioprosthetic valves. Normally, the body prevents ectopic calcification via systemic or locally–derived calcification inhibitory factors, such as osteopontin. In injury and disease, inhibitory processes are often deficient, leaving calcification inductive processes unopposed, and allowing mineral-formative processes to predominate. Ameliorating anticalcific factor deficiency and/or promoting mineral resorption will be discussed as potential strategies to treat and potentially regress ectopic calcification.