Abstract: Osteoprotegerin (OPG), as a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, is a soluble secretary glycoprotein, which is accompanied with NF-κB receptor activator (RANK), NF-κB receptor activator ligand (RANKL) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) to form osteoprotegerin system. A large number of clinical and experimental studies have confirmed that osteoprotegerin system participates in physiological processes such as endothelial function, inflammatory reaction, oxidative stress and apoptosis, which is expected to be a biomarker for the occurrence, development, severity and long-term prognosis of coronary heart disease. In this paper, we summarized the biological effects and mechanism of the osteoprotegerin system in the occurrence and development of coronary heart disease and its future clinical application.

Key words: coronary artery stenosis, molecular mechanism, review, osteoprotegerin