Ostéoprotégérine : un nouvel acteur dans la pathologie vasculaire du patient diabétique ?

RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand)/RANK/OPG (Osteoprotegerin) system, a key player in the control of bone mineralization is also expressed and regulated in the vessels. It could play a major role at this level in controlling the development of vascular calcification. Beyond this role, OPG could also contribute to inflammation and rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. Clinical data show that it is also an independent marker of both vascular disease and cardiovascular risk, particularly in diabetic patients. In this review, we report on the involvement of RANKL/RANK/OPG in vascular calcification and on the potential role of OPG as a marker of cardiovascular risk in the diabetic population.