Patent ID: 8435964

Claim:
A method for identifying a potential inhibitor of aortic valve stenosis or cardiovascular calcification, comprising the steps of: a) contacting ectonucleotidase pyrophosphate/phosphodiesterase-1 (ENPP-1) with a potential inhibitor compound thereof; and b) measuring the level of ENPP-1 activity in contact with said inhibitor as per step a); c) measuring the level of ENPP-1 activity in absence of inhibitor to define a control activity; d) comparing said activity from step b) with control activity from step c); e) selecting a compound that yields ENPP-1 activity from step b) that is lower than control ENPP-1 activity, wherein a lower activity of ENPP-1 is an indication that said compound is a potential inhibitor of aortic valve stenosis or cardiovascular calcification; and f) further testing said compound from step e) for a decrease in calcification in an in vitro model of cellular mineralization.