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Perez KA, Deppe DW, Filas A, Singh SA, Aikawa E. Multimodal Analytical Tools to Enhance Mechanistic Understanding of Aortic Valve Calcification. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:539-550. [PMID: 37517686 PMCID: PMC10988764 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
This review focuses on technologies at the core of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) and drug target research advancement, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and molecular imaging. We examine how bulk RNA sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing have engendered organismal genomes and transcriptomes, promoting the analysis of tissue gene expression profiles and cell subpopulations, respectively. We bring into focus how the field is also largely influenced by increasingly accessible proteome profiling techniques. In unison, global transcriptional and protein expression analyses allow for increased understanding of cellular behavior and pathogenic pathways under pathologic stimuli including stress, inflammation, low-density lipoprotein accumulation, increased calcium and phosphate levels, and vascular injury. We also look at how direct investigation of protein signatures paves the way for identification of targetable pathways for pharmacologic intervention. Here, we note that imaging techniques, once a clinical diagnostic tool for late-stage CAVD, have since been refined to address a clinical need to identify microcalcifications using positron emission tomography/computed tomography and even detect in vivo cellular events indicative of early stage CAVD and map the expression of identified proteins in animal models. Together, these techniques generate a holistic approach to CAVD investigation, with the potential to identify additional novel regulatory pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn A Perez
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel W Deppe
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Aidan Filas
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sasha A Singh
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elena Aikawa
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Ma W, Zhang W, Liu H, Qian B, Lai R, Yao Z, Wang Y, Yan Y, Yuan Z. Plasma Cell-Free DNA Is a Potential Biomarker for Diagnosis of Calcific Aortic Valve Disease. Cardiology 2023; 149:155-162. [PMID: 37899036 PMCID: PMC10994581 DOI: 10.1159/000534229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the third most common cardiovascular disease in aging populations. Despite a growing number of biomarkers having been shown to be associated with CAVD, a marker suitable for routine testing in clinical practice is still needed. Plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has been suggested as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis in multiple diseases. In this study, we aimed to test whether cfDNA could be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of CAVD. METHODS Serum samples were collected from 137 diagnosed CAVD patients and 180 normal controls. The amount of cfDNA was quantified by amplifying a short fragment (ALU 115) and a long fragment (ALU 247) using quantitative real-time PCR. The cfDNA integrity (cfDI) was calculated as the ratio of ALU247 to ALU115. The association between CAVD and cfDI was evaluated using regression analysis. RESULTS CAVD patients had increased ALU 115 fragments (median, 185.14 (416.42) versus 302.83 (665.41), p < 0.05) but a decreased value of cfDI (mean, 0.50 ± 0.25 vs. 0.41 ± 0.26, p < 0.01) in their serum when compared to controls. This difference was more dramatic in non-rheumatic CAVD patients (p < 0.001) versus rheumatic CAVD patients (no significant difference). Similarly, CAVD patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) (p < 0.01) showed a greater difference than non-BAV CAVD patients (p < 0.05). Linear regression and logistic regression showed that cfDI was independently and significantly associated with the presence of CAVD (95% CI, 0.096 to 0.773, p < 0.05). The ROC assay revealed that cfDI combined with clinical characteristics had a better diagnostic value than cfDI alone (AUC = 0.6191, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION cfDI may be a potential biomarker for diagnosis of CAVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangge Ma
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of General Practice, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Huahua Liu
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Benheng Qian
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Rongguang Lai
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zijun Yao
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yidong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases of Ministry of Education, The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yang Yan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zuyi Yuan
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
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Ahmad AA, Ghim M, Toczek J, Neishabouri A, Ojha D, Zhang Z, Gona K, Raza MZ, Jung JJ, Kukreja G, Zhang J, Guerrera N, Liu C, Sadeghi MM. Multimodality Imaging of Aortic Valve Calcification and Function in a Murine Model of Calcific Aortic Valve Disease and Bicuspid Aortic Valve. J Nucl Med 2023; 64:1487-1494. [PMID: 37321825 PMCID: PMC10478817 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.123.265516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a prevailing disease with increasing occurrence and no known medical therapy. Dcbld2-/- mice have a high prevalence of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), spontaneous aortic valve calcification, and aortic stenosis (AS). 18F-NaF PET/CT can detect the aortic valve calcification process in humans. However, its feasibility in preclinical models of CAVD remains to be determined. Here, we sought to validate 18F-NaF PET/CT for tracking murine aortic valve calcification and leveraged it to examine the development of calcification with aging and its interdependence with BAV and AS in Dcbld2-/- mice. Methods: Dcbld2-/- mice at 3-4 mo, 10-16 mo, and 18-24 mo underwent echocardiography, 18F-NaF PET/CT (n = 34, or autoradiography (n = 45)), and tissue analysis. A subset of mice underwent both PET/CT and autoradiography (n = 12). The aortic valve signal was quantified as SUVmax on PET/CT and as percentage injected dose per square centimeter on autoradiography. The valve tissue sections were analyzed by microscopy to identify tricuspid and bicuspid aortic valves. Results: The aortic valve 18F-NaF signal on PET/CT was significantly higher at 18-24 mo (P < 0.0001) and 10-16 mo (P < 0.05) than at 3-4 mo. Additionally, at 18-24 mo BAV had a higher 18F-NaF signal than tricuspid aortic valves (P < 0.05). These findings were confirmed by autoradiography, with BAV having significantly higher 18F-NaF uptake in each age group. A significant correlation between PET and autoradiography data (Pearson r = 0.79, P < 0.01) established the accuracy of PET quantification. The rate of calcification with aging was significantly faster for BAV (P < 0.05). Transaortic valve flow velocity was significantly higher in animals with BAV at all ages. Finally, there was a significant correlation between transaortic valve flow velocity and aortic valve calcification by both PET/CT (r = 0.55, P < 0.001) and autoradiography (r = 0.45, P < 0.01). Conclusion: 18F-NaF PET/CT links valvular calcification to BAV and aging in Dcbld2-/- mice and suggests that AS may promote calcification. In addition to addressing the pathobiology of valvular calcification, 18F-NaF PET/CT may be a valuable tool for evaluation of emerging therapeutic interventions in CAVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azmi A Ahmad
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Mean Ghim
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jakub Toczek
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Afarin Neishabouri
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Devi Ojha
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Zhengxing Zhang
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Kiran Gona
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Muhammad Zawwad Raza
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jae-Joon Jung
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Gunjan Kukreja
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jiasheng Zhang
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Nicole Guerrera
- Yale Translational Research Imaging Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; and
| | - Chi Liu
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Mehran M Sadeghi
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut;
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Fang M, Li B, Li X, Wang Y, Zhuang Y. MicroRNA-29b regulates pyroptosis involving calcific aortic valve disease through the STAT3/SOCS1 pathway. Int J Cardiol 2023; 371:319-328. [PMID: 36064035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2022.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CAVD (calcific aortic valve disease) involves an inflammatory response similar to pyroptosis; therefore, we speculated that the progression of pyroptosis might be involved in the pathogenesis of CAVD. METHODS We first investigated the expression of pyroptosis related genes in human CAVD, non-CAVD control and AS (calcific aortic stenosis) tissues. We further confirmed these genes by using CAVD cell and mouse models. Finally, we explored the functional molecular mechanism in the cell model. RESULTS Our recent studies found that miR-29b plays an important role in CAVD, and we wanted to further address whether miR-29b is a key factor in the progression of pyroptosis related to CAVD. In this study, we found NLRP3 was highly expressed in CAVD patients and models. In contrast, SOCS1, a suppressor of NLRP3, showed reduced expression in CAVD. Furthermore, we found that ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, Cleaved IL-18 and p-JAK2 were all upregulated in the tissues of CAVD patients, suggesting the likelihood of activation of the inflammasome. Then, we found that miR-29b participated in the NLRP3-regulated CAVD pathway through its target gene STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3). Finally, we found that a miR-29b inhibitor could mitigate the increases in osteogenic differentiation and pyroptosis and that SOCS1 showed negative regulation of osteogenic differentiation and pyroptosis in CAVD. CONCLUSION These findings suggested NLRP3 inflammasome-related genes are highly expressed in CAVD, and miR-29b reverses osteoblastic differentiation of aortic valve interstitial cells by regulating pyroptosis and inhibiting inflammation via the STAT3/SOCS1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Fang
- Department of Cardiology, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, Hainan 570311, China; Department of Cardiology, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai 201318, China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Cardiology, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, Hainan 570311, China
| | - Xinming Li
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai 201318, China
| | - Yudai Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, Hainan 570311, China
| | - Yu Zhuang
- Department of Cardiovascular surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.
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[Optimal time window for observation of calcific aortic valve disease in mice following catheter-induced valve injury]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2022; 42:1532-1538. [PMID: 36329588 PMCID: PMC9637488 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2022.10.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the optimal time window for observation of catheter-induced valve injury that mimics calcified aortic valve disease in mice. METHODS A catheter was inserted into the right common carotid artery of 8-week-old C57BL6 mice under ultrasound guidance, and aortic valve injury was induced using the guide wire.At 4, 8 and 16 weeks after modeling, the mice were subjected to ultrasound measurement of the heart short axial shortening rate, aortic valve peak velocity and aortic valve orifice area.Grain-Eosin staining was used to observe the changes in the thickness of the aortic valve, and calcium deposition in the aortic valve was assessed using Alizarin red staining.Immunofluorescence assay was performed to detect the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the aortic valve. RESULTS At 4, 8 and 16 weeks after modeling, valve thickness (P=0.002), calcium deposition (P < 0.0001) and the expression of osteogenic protein ALP (P=0.0016) were significantly increased, but their increments were comparable at the 3 time points of observation. CONCLUSION In mouse models of calcific aortic valve disease induced by catheter valve injury, 4 weeks after the injury appears to be the optimal time window for observation of pathophysiological changes in the aortic valves to avoid further increase of the death rate of the mice over time.
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Evaluating Medical Therapy for Calcific Aortic Stenosis: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. J Am Coll Cardiol 2021; 78:2354-2376. [PMID: 34857095 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.09.1367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Despite numerous promising therapeutic targets, there are no proven medical treatments for calcific aortic stenosis (AS). Multiple stakeholders need to come together and several scientific, operational, and trial design challenges must be addressed to capitalize on the recent and emerging mechanistic insights into this prevalent heart valve disease. This review briefly discusses the pathobiology and most promising pharmacologic targets, screening, diagnosis and progression of AS, identification of subgroups that should be targeted in clinical trials, and the need to elicit the patient voice earlier rather than later in clinical trial design and implementation. Potential trial end points and tools for assessment and approaches to implementation and design of clinical trials are reviewed. The efficiencies and advantages offered by a clinical trial network and platform trial approach are highlighted. The objective is to provide practical guidance that will facilitate a series of trials to identify effective medical therapies for AS resulting in expansion of therapeutic options to complement mechanical solutions for late-stage disease.
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Fletcher AJ, Dweck MR. Detecting native and bioprosthetic aortic valve disease using 18F-sodium fluoride: Clinical implications. J Nucl Cardiol 2021; 28:481-491. [PMID: 33175301 PMCID: PMC8076133 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-020-02411-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Calcific aortic valve disease is the most common valvular disease and confers significant morbidity and mortality. There are currently no medical therapies that successfully halt or reverse the disease progression, making surgical replacement the only treatment currently available. The majority of patients will receive a bioprosthetic valve, which themselves are prone to degeneration and may also need replaced, adding to the already substantial healthcare burden of aortic stenosis. Echocardiography and computed tomography can identify late-stage manifestations of the disease process affecting native and bioprosthetic aortic valves but cannot detect or quantify early molecular changes. 18F-fluoride positron emission tomography, on the other hand, can non-invasively and sensitively assess disease activity in the valves. The current review outlines the pivotal role this novel molecular imaging technique has played in improving our understanding of native and bioprosthetic aortic valve disease, as well as providing insights into its feasibility as an important future research and clinical tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Fletcher
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Chancellor's Building, 49 Little France, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK.
| | - Marc R Dweck
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Chancellor's Building, 49 Little France, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
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Aortic valve microcalcification and cardiovascular risk: an exploratory study using sodium fluoride in high cardiovascular risk patients. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020; 36:1593-1598. [PMID: 32342245 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-020-01854-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) has been used to access aortic stenosis in clinical research setting. It is known that its uptake is related with microcalcification. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between 18F-NaF uptake by the aortic valve and cardiovascular risk. Twenty-five patients with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, without known cardiovascular disease or aortic stenosis underwent PET-CT with 18F-NaF. Cardiovascular risk was assessed through the ASCVD (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease) risk calculator. Aortic valve 18F-NaF (AoVCUL) uptake was evaluated through the corrected uptake per lesion (CUL = max SUV - mean blood-pool SUV). Calcium score was obtained through cardiac CT. The patients present a mean age of 63.90 ± 8.60 years and 56% males. The mean ASCVD was of 28.76 ± 18.96 (M 25, IQR 38.50). The mean aortic valve calcium score (AoVCaSc) was of 53.24 ± 164.38 (M 6; IQR 29.75) and the AoVCUL was of 0.50 ± 0.10 (M 0.52, IQR 0.15). The patients were classified according to the ASCVD: patients with a risk greater or equal than the 50th percentile of the ASCVD risk and patients with a risk lower than the 50th percentile. The AoVCUL was evaluated in both groups: AoVCUL = 0.56 ± 0.10 vs 0.42 ± 0.15, p = 0.02; AoVCaSc was of 0 in 11 patients (44%) and those with an ASCVD greater or equal than the 50th percentile had a mean AoVCaSc of 8.00 ± 13.80, and those with an ASCVD risk lower than the 50th percentile had a mean AoVCaSc of 95.00 ± 223.45; p = 0.09. In this study microcalcification, evaluated through 18F-NaF on PET-CT, was related with cardiovascular risk. Although the score of calcium seems to be higher in higher cardiovascular risk patients, no significant difference was found between groups.
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Development of calcific aortic valve disease: Do we know enough for new clinical trials? J Mol Cell Cardiol 2019; 132:189-209. [PMID: 31136747 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2019.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), previously thought to represent a passive degeneration of the valvular extracellular matrix (VECM), is now regarded as an intricate multistage disorder with sequential yet intertangled and interacting underlying processes. Endothelial dysfunction and injury, initiated by disturbed blood flow and metabolic disorders, lead to the deposition of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the VECM further provoking macrophage infiltration, oxidative stress, and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Such changes in the valvular homeostasis induce differentiation of normally quiescent valvular interstitial cells (VICs) into synthetically active myofibroblasts producing excessive quantities of the VECM and proteins responsible for its remodeling. As a result of constantly ongoing degradation and re-deposition, VECM becomes disorganised and rigid, additionally potentiating myofibroblastic differentiation of VICs and worsening adaptation of the valve to the blood flow. Moreover, disrupted and excessively vascularised VECM is susceptible to the dystrophic calcification caused by calcium and phosphate precipitating on damaged collagen fibers and concurrently accompanied by osteogenic differentiation of VICs. Being combined, passive calcification and biomineralisation synergistically induce ossification of the aortic valve ultimately resulting in its mechanical incompetence requiring surgical replacement. Unfortunately, multiple attempts have failed to find an efficient conservative treatment of CAVD; however, therapeutic regimens and clinical settings have also been far from the optimal. In this review, we focused on interactions and transitions between aforementioned mechanisms demarcating ascending stages of CAVD, suggesting a predisposing condition (bicuspid aortic valve) and drug combination (lipid-lowering drugs combined with angiotensin II antagonists and cytokine inhibitors) for the further testing in both preclinical and clinical trials.
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