Helicobacter Pylori Virulence Factor Cytotoxin-Associated Gene A (CagA) Induces Vascular Calcification in Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells.

() has been associated with cardiovascular diseases. The pro-inflammatory virulence factor cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) has been detected in serum exosomes of -infected subjects and may exert systemic effects throughout the cardiovascular system. The role of and CagA in vascular calcification was hitherto unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the vascular effects of CagA through human coronary artery smooth muscle cell (CASMC) osteogenic and pro-inflammatory effector gene expression as well as interleukin 1β secretion and cellular calcification. CagA upregulated bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP-2) associated with an osteogenic CASMC phenotype switch and induced increased cellular calcification. Furthermore, a pro-inflammatory response was observed. These results support that may contribute to vascular calcification through CagA rendering CASMCs osteogenic and inducing calcification.