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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, RESULTS. Meshes: .
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Does runx2 Deletion in Smooth muscle Cells inhibit Vascular Osteochondrogenesis and Calcification but not Atherosclerotic Lesion Formation? Context: Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are major precursors contributing to osteochondrogenesis and calcification in atherosclerosis. Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2) has been found essential for SMC differentiation to an osteochondrogenic phenotype and subsequent calcification in vitro A recent study using a conditional targeting allele that produced a truncated Runx2 protein in SMCs of ApoE We used an improved targeting construct to generate LDLr
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SMC autonomous Runx2 is required for SMC differentiation toward osteoblast-like cells, SMC-derived chondrocyte maturation and AIC in atherosclerotic mice. These effects were independent of systemic lipid metabolism, RANKL expression, macrophage infiltration, and atheromatous lesion progression. Final Decision: yes