Review
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World J Stem Cells. Nov 26, 2014; 6(5): 540-551
Published online Nov 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i5.540
Arterial calcification: Finger-pointing at resident and circulating stem cells
Francesco Vasuri, Silvia Fittipaldi, Gianandrea Pasquinelli
Francesco Vasuri, Silvia Fittipaldi, Gianandrea Pasquinelli, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna University, I-40138 Bologna, Italy
Author contributions: All the authors equally contributed to the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Gianandrea Pasquinelli, MD, PhD, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna University, Via Massarenti 9, I-40138 Bologna, Italy. gianandr.pasquinelli@unibo.it
Telephone: +39-51-6364288 Fax: +39-51-3634403
Received: July 24, 2014
Revised: September 8, 2014
Accepted: September 16, 2014
Published online: November 26, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: We review state of art on active arterial calcification, introduce new insight in arterial osteoprogenitors (OPs) phenotypes and the concept of amitosis. Analysis of literature of all markers used to define mesenchymal stem cells and OPs revealed the evident incongruity between the actual studies: each research has its own panel of antigen markers. Still, osteocalcin resulted the most promising marker of resident and circulating OPs. A new technique allows maintaining DNA/RNA integrity in highly calcified or ectopic bone formation: new studies should consider this technique and the particular division of OPs to identify them.