Whilst VSMC calcification is facilitated by GR selective dexamethasone (Fig. 1; [29]), and macrophage-specific GR inactivation reduces vascular calcification in a mouse model of atherosclerosis [34], the pro-calcification effects of corticosterone and 11-DHC do not appear to be mediated through GR signaling. This evidence concerns the gene NR3C1 and atherosclerosis.