Idiopathic basal ganglia calcification is a brain calcification disorder
that has been genetically linked to autosomal dominant mutations in the
sodium-dependent phosphate co-transporter, SLC20A2. The mechanisms whereby
deficiency of Slc20a2 leads to basal ganglion calcification are unknown. In the
mouse brain, we found that Slc20a2 was expressed in tissues
that produce and/or regulate cerebrospinal fluid, including choroid plexus,
ependyma and arteriolar smooth muscle cells. Haploinsufficient
Slc20a2 +/− mice developed age-dependent basal
ganglia calcification that formed in glymphatic pathway-associated arterioles.
Slc20a2 deficiency uncovered phosphate homeostasis
dysregulation characterized by abnormally high cerebrospinal fluid phosphate
levels and hydrocephalus, in addition to basal ganglia calcification.
Slc20a2 siRNA knockdown in smooth muscle cells revealed
increased susceptibility to high phosphate-induced calcification. These data
suggested that loss of Slc20a2 led to dysregulated phosphate
homeostasis and enhanced susceptibility of arteriolar smooth muscle cells to
elevated phosphate-induced calcification. Together, dysregulated cerebrospinal
fluid phosphate and enhanced smooth muscle cell susceptibility may predispose to
glymphatic pathway-associated arteriolar calcification.