Metabolic acidosis and vascular calcification: using blueprints from bone to map a new venue for vascular research

Vascular calcification is an important problem in patients with chronic kidney disease. The pathobiology of vascular calcification is complex and is intricately related to bone remodeling. Mendoza et al. report that experimental metabolic acidosis prevents calcitriol-induced vascular calcification in uremic animals. To fully understand the effect of acidosis on the vasculature, a comprehensive and integrated approach that simultaneously examines the effect of metabolic acidosis on bone and vasculature is needed.