Valentine ROUAIX

Valentine ROUAIX


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Rene BuchetRene Buchet
Rene Buchet
CTCamille Tribes
Camille Tribes
VRValentine ROUAIX
Valentine ROUAIX
BDBastien Doumeche
Bastien Doumeche
Michele FioreMichele Fiore
Michele Fiore
Mebarek SaidaMebarek Saida
Mebarek Saida
(1) Background: Tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) is suspected to induce atherosclerosis plaque calcification. TNAP, during physiological mineralization, hydrolyzes the mineralization inhibitor inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi). Since atherosclerosis plaques are characterized by the presence of necrotic cells that probably release supraphysiological concentrations of ATP, we explored whether this extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is hydrolyzed into the mineralization inhibitor PPi or the mineralization stimulator inorganic phosphate (Pi), and whether TNAP is involved. (2) Methods: Murine aortic smooth muscle cell line (MOVAS cells) were transdifferentiated into chondrocyte-like cells in calcifying medium, containing ascorbic acid and β-glycerophosphate. ATP hydrolysis rates were determined in extracellular medium extracted from MOVAS cultures during their transdifferentiation, using 31P-NMR and IR spectroscopy. (3) Results: ATP and PPi hydrolysis by MOVAS cells increased during transdifferentiation. ATP hydrolysis was sequential, yielding adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), and adenosine without any detectable PPi. The addition of levamisole partially inhibited ATP hydrolysis, indicating that TNAP and other types of ectonucleoside triphoshatediphosphohydrolases contributed to ATP hydrolysis. (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that high ATP levels released by cells in proximity to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in atherosclerosis plaques generate Pi and not PPi, which may exacerbate plaque calcification.