RUNX2 and atherosclerosis: Next, we analyzed the datasets (GSE43292, GSE12644, and GSE83453) obtained from aortas isolated from patients with atherosclerosis and stenosis for Cdon expression (Fig. 1a), together with aortic calcified markers such as Runx2, ALPL (alkaline phosphatase), and CD68 (Supplementary Fig. 1b).