The secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1), known as osteopontin, has been shown to drive vascular calcification within advanced atherosclerosis plaques by fostering VSMC transformation to osteoblast-like cells 22, and aggravate fibrosis in atherosclerotic coronary arteries by enhancing fibroadipogenic progenitor cell migration and proliferation 23. Here, SPP1 is linked to atherosclerosis.