The calcification of the media layer in arterial vessels is mediated by RANK/OPG, and thus, the RANK/OPG system may represent a common pathway that plays a role in both osteolysis and atherosclerosis.[25] This putative molecular link between calcifying atherosclerosis and osteolysis could explain the association between these two disease entities found in our present study. The gene discussed is TNFRSF11A; the disease is atherosclerosis.