OBJECTIVEVascular calcification is the consequence of the complex interaction between genetic, environmental, and vascular factors, which ultimately lead to the deposition of calcium in the tunica intima (atherosclerotic calcification) or tunica media (Mönckenberg's sclerosis). Vascular calcification is also closely related to other pathologies, such as diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and chronic kidney disease. It has been concluded that the degree of vascular calcification may vary from person to person, even if the associated pathologies and environmental factors are the same. Therefore, this suggests an important genetic contribution to the development of vascular calcification. This review aimed to find the most recent evidence about vascular calcification pathophysiology regarding the genetic aspects and molecular pathways.

DATA SOURCESWe conducted an exhaustive search in Scopus, EBSCO, and PubMed with the keywords "genetics and vascular calcification", "molecular pathways, genetic and vascular calcification" and included the main articles from January 1995 up to August 2016. We focused on the most recent evidence about vascular calcification pathophysiology regarding the genetic aspects and molecular pathways.

STUDY SELECTIONThe most valuable published original and review articles related to our objective were selected.

RESULTSVascular calcification is a multifactorial disease; thus, its pathophysiology cannot be explained by a single specific factor, rather than by the result of the association of several genetic variants, molecular pathway interactions, and environmental factors that promote its development.

CONCLUSIONAlthough several molecular aspects of this mechanism have been elucidated, there is still a need for a better understanding of the factors that predispose to this disease.

Diabetes Mellitus ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Dyslipidemias ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Tunica Intima ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Tunica Media ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Vascular Calcification ; metabolism ; physiopathology