SUN-167 THE AMPK-ULK1 AXIS MEDIATED AUTOPHAGY TO REDUCE HIGH PHOSPHATE-INDUCED VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS CALCIFICATION

Chronic kidney disease vascular calcification is an important cause of cardiovascular disease. High-phosphate levels in combination with abnormal mineral metabolism can induce vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) to transdifferentiate from a contractile to osteoblastic phenotypes. Growing evidence suggests that autophagy plays a role in vascular pathophysiology including uremic vascular calcification. However, there is still controversial about the impact of autophagy on vascular calcifcation and the mechanisms are not fully understood.