Besides, we also found plasma from CAD or CKD patient with CAC increased mRNA levels of ANP, BNP and TGF-β in H9C2 cells as well as the apoptosis of H9C2 cells with a concentration dependent manner (Supplementary Figure 2), indirectly indicating the potential relationship of cardiomyocytes apoptosis and VC presence whatever in CAD or CKD patients. This evidence concerns the gene NPPB and chronic kidney disease.