Bone alkaline phosphatase isoforms in chronic kidney disease : mineral and bone disorder

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased mortality and cardiovascular complications. Disturbances in mineral metabolism occur early <luring the course of CKD and several components of the CKD-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) are independent predictors of mortality. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is necessary for skeletal mineralization and is also involved in the process of vascular calcification. In recent years, ALP has evolved as a strong predictor of mortality in the CKD population. The significant role of ALP in the mineralization process renders it a putative target for the treatment and prevention of vascular calcification. Three circulating isoforms of bone ALP (BALP) have been identified (B/I, B 1, and B2). A fourth isoform, Blx, has been identified exclusively in serum from patients with CKD. The aim of the present thesis was to further elucidate the role ofthe BALP isoforms in CKD with respect to bone abnormalities and vascular calcification. In study I we identified the novel BALP isoform Blx in 20% of patients with mild to moderate CKD. Blx was associated with lower glomerular filtration rate and higher serum phosphate and calcium x phosphate product, which are risk factors for cardiovascular mortality in CKD. We also identified the BALP isoforms B/I, Bl and B2 as predictors of total hip bone mineral density. Study II was an experimental study, investigating the role of the BALP isoforms in phosphate induced calcification of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). We found that the ALP expressed in HASMCs is exclusively BALP. Phosphate induced calcification of HASMCs was associated with increased BALP isoforms B/I, Blx, and B2 activities, which implies functional differences between the BALP isoforms in HASMC calcification. In study III we investigated the association of BALP isoforms in serum and histomorphometric parameters of bone in patients on chronic hemodialysis. W e identified the BALP isoform Blx as a novel marker for reduced osteoblastic activity. Study IV was a prospective cohort study of the association of serum BALP isoforms with aortic calcification and vascular stiffness in prevalent chronic dialysis patients. Blx was associated with baseline and time varying vascular stiffness, determined by pulse wave velocity, but not with calcification of the abdominal aorta. We also found an association of Blx with better event-free survival. In conclusion, these studies demonstrate that the BALP isoforms, especially isoform Blx, are involved in different aspects of CKD-MBD. This opens up for further research to identify the BALP isoforms as diagnostic markers and possible treatment targets in CKD-MBD

Alkaline Phosphatase: An Old Friend as Treatment Target for Cardiovascular and Mineral Bone Disorders in Chronic Kidney Disease

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an evolutionary conserved enzyme and widely used biomarker in clinical practice. Tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNALP) is one of four human isozymes that are expressed as distinct TNALP isoforms after posttranslational modifications, mainly in bone, liver, and kidney tissues. Beyond the well-known effects on bone mineralization, the bone ALP (BALP) isoforms (B/I, B1, B1x, and B2) are also involved in the pathogenesis of ectopic calcification. This narrative review summarizes the recent clinical investigations and mechanisms that link ALP and BALP to inflammation, metabolic syndrome, vascular calcification, endothelial dysfunction, fibrosis, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. The association between ALP, vitamin K, bone metabolism, and fracture risk in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is also discussed. Recent advances in different pharmacological strategies are highlighted, with the potential to modulate the expression of ALP directly and indirectly in CKD–mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD), e.g., epigenetic modulation, phosphate binders, calcimimetics, vitamin D, and other anti-fracture treatments. We conclude that the significant evidence for ALP as a pathogenic factor and risk marker in CKD-MBD supports the inclusion of concrete treatment targets for ALP in clinical guidelines. While a target value below 120 U/L is associated with improved survival, further experimental and clinical research should explore interventional strategies with optimal risk–benefit profiles. The future holds great promise for novel drug therapies modulating ALP

The Novel Bone Alkaline Phosphatase Isoform B1x Is Associated with Improved 5-Year Survival in Chronic Kidney Disease

Circulating alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an independent cardiovascular risk marker. Serum bone ALP (BALP) isoforms indicate bone turnover and comprise approximately 50% of total circulating ALP. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), mortality is highest in patients with increased ALP and BALP and low bone turnover. However, not all low bone turnover states are associated with increased mortality. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, features of protein energy wasting syndrome, induce cardiovascular BALP activity and fibro-calcification, while bone turnover is suppressed. Circulating BALP isoform B1x is associated with low ALP and low bone turnover and has been exclusively detected in CKD. We investigated the association of serum B1x with survival, abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) score, and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) in CKD. Serum ALP, BALP isoforms, parathyroid hormone (PTH), PWV, and AAC were measured repeatedly over 2 years in 68 prevalent dialysis patients. Mortality was assessed after 5 years. B1x was detected in 53 patients. A competing risk analysis revealed an association of B1x with improved 5-year survival; whereas, baseline PWV, but not AAC score, predicted mortality. However, PWV improved in 26 patients (53%), and B1x was associated with variation of PWV over time (p = 0.03). Patients with B1x had lower PTH and total ALP, suggesting an association with lower bone turnover. In conclusion, B1x is associated with time-varying PWV, lower circulating ALP, and improved survival in CKD, and thus may be an indicator of a reduced cardiovascular risk profile among patients with low bone turnover

Alkaline phosphatase: a novel treatment target for cardiovascular disease in CKD.

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of early death in the settings of chronic kidney disease (CKD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and ageing. Cardiovascular events can be caused by an imbalance between promoters and inhibitors of mineralization, which leads to vascular calcification. This process is akin to skeletal mineralization, which is carefully regulated and in which isozymes of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) have a crucial role. Four genes encode ALP isozymes in humans. Intestinal, placental and germ cell ALPs are tissue-specific, whereas the tissue-nonspecific isozyme of ALP (TNALP) is present in several tissues, including bone, liver and kidney. TNALP has a pivotal role in bone calcification. Experimental overexpression of TNALP in the vasculature is sufficient to induce vascular calcification, cardiac hypertrophy and premature death, mimicking the cardiovascular phenotype often found in CKD and T2DM. Intestinal ALP contributes to the gut mucosal defence and intestinal and liver ALPs might contribute to the acute inflammatory response to endogenous or pathogenic stimuli. Here we review novel mechanisms that link ALP to vascular calcification, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction in kidney and cardiovascular diseases. We also discuss new drugs that target ALP, which have the potential to improve cardiovascular outcomes without inhibiting skeletal mineralization

Pharmacologic epigenetic modulators of alkaline phosphatase in chronic kidney disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In chronic kidney disease (CKD), disturbance of several metabolic regulatory mechanisms cause premature ageing, accelerated cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality. Single-target interventions have repeatedly failed to improve the prognosis for CKD patients. Epigenetic interventions have the potential to modulate several pathogenetic processes simultaneously. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a robust predictor of CVD and all-cause mortality and implicated in pathogenic processes associated with CVD in CKD. RECENT FINDINGS: In experimental studies, epigenetic modulation of ALP by microRNAs or bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) protein inhibition has shown promising results for the treatment of CVD and other chronic metabolic diseases. The BET inhibitor apabetalone is currently being evaluated for cardiovascular risk reduction in a phase III clinical study in high-risk CVD patients, including patients with CKD (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02586155). Phase II studies demonstrate an ALP-lowering potential of apabetalone, which was associated with improved cardiovascular and renal outcomes. SUMMARY: ALP is a predictor of CVD and mortality in CKD. Epigenetic modulation of ALP has the potential to affect several pathogenetic processes in CKD and thereby improve cardiovascular outcome

Pharmacologic epigenetic modulators of alkaline phosphatase in chronic kidney disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In chronic kidney disease (CKD), disturbance of several metabolic regulatory mechanisms cause premature ageing, accelerated cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality. Single-target interventions have repeatedly failed to improve the prognosis for CKD patients. Epigenetic interventions have the potential to modulate several pathogenetic processes simultaneously. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a robust predictor of CVD and all-cause mortality and implicated in pathogenic processes associated with CVD in CKD. RECENT FINDINGS: In experimental studies, epigenetic modulation of ALP by microRNAs or bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) protein inhibition has shown promising results for the treatment of CVD and other chronic metabolic diseases. The BET inhibitor apabetalone is currently being evaluated for cardiovascular risk reduction in a phase III clinical study in high-risk CVD patients, including patients with CKD (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02586155). Phase II studies demonstrate an ALP-lowering potential of apabetalone, which was associated with improved cardiovascular and renal outcomes. SUMMARY: ALP is a predictor of CVD and mortality in CKD. Epigenetic modulation of ALP has the potential to affect several pathogenetic processes in CKD and thereby improve cardiovascular outcome.Funding agencies: P.M. is supported by ALF grants Region Ostergotland, Sweden. K.K.-Z. is supported by the NIDDK grants R01DK095668 and K24-DK091419 as well as philanthropic grants from Mr Harold Simmons, Mr Louis Chang, Dr Joseph Lee and AVEO.</p