The serum protein α2–Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein/fetuin-A is a systemically acting inhibitor of ectopic calcification
J. Clin. Invest. Cora Schäfer, et al. 112:357 doi:10.1172/JCI17202 [
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Figure 1A mineral/vitamin D–rich diet leads to ectopic calcification in
Ahsg–/– mice.
Ahsg+/+ and
Ahsg–/– mice (mixed genetic background C57BL/6-129/Sv) were fed a mineral/vitamin D–rich diet for 4 months and analyzed for the presence of ectopic calcification. (
a) Alizarin red staining of skeletal preparations. Note that calcified deposits depict small vessels in muscles along the vertebra in
Ahsg–/– mice, but not in
Ahsg+/+ mice. (
b) von Kossa staining and counterstaining with safranin O of kidney and lung. Calcified lesions are stained black in renal tubules and interstitium and pulmonary alveoli of
Ahsg–/– mice, but not in
Ahsg+/+ mice.
