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Li J, Qiao W, Liu Y, Lei H, Wang S, Xu Y, Zhou Y, Wen S, Yang Z, Wan W, Shi J, Dong N, Wu Y. Facile engineering of interactive double network hydrogels for heart valve regeneration. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7462. [PMID: 39198477 PMCID: PMC11358442 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51773-0] [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: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Regenerative heart valve prostheses are essential for treating valvular heart disease, which requested interactive materials that can adapt to the tissue remodeling process. Such materials typically involves intricate designs with multiple active components, limiting their translational potential. This study introduces a facile method to engineer interactive materials for heart valve regeneration using 1,1'-thiocarbonyldiimidazole (TCDI) chemistry. TCDI crosslinking forms cleavable thiourea and thiocarbamate linkages which could gradually release H2S during degradation, therefore regulates the immune microenvironment and accelerates tissue remodeling. By employing this approach, a double network hydrogel was formed on decellularized heart valves (DHVs), showcasing robust anti-calcification and anti-thrombosis properties post fatigue testing. Post-implantation, the DHVs could adaptively degrade during recellularization, releasing H2S to further support tissue regeneration. Therefore, the comprehensive endothelial cell coverage and notable extracellular matrix remodeling could be clearly observed. This accessible and integrated strategy effectively overcomes various limitations of bioprosthetic valves, showing promise as an attractive approach for immune modulation of biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsheng Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry & Materia Medica, State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Weihua Qiao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuqi Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, China
| | - Huiling Lei
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry & Materia Medica, State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuangshuang Wang
- School of Life Science and Chemistry, Wuhan Donghu University, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Yin Xu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuyu Wen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhuoran Yang
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry & Materia Medica, State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenyi Wan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiawei Shi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, China.
| | - Nianguo Dong
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, China.
| | - Yuzhou Wu
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry & Materia Medica, State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, China.
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2
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Small AM, Yutzey KE, Binstadt BA, Voigts Key K, Bouatia-Naji N, Milan D, Aikawa E, Otto CM, St Hilaire C. Unraveling the Mechanisms of Valvular Heart Disease to Identify Medical Therapy Targets: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2024; 150:e109-e128. [PMID: 38881493 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000001254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Valvular heart disease is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and has no effective medical therapy. Severe disease is managed with valve replacement procedures, which entail high health care-related costs and postprocedural morbidity and mortality. Robust ongoing research programs have elucidated many important molecular pathways contributing to primary valvular heart disease. However, there remain several key challenges inherent in translating research on valvular heart disease to viable molecular targets that can progress through the clinical trials pathway and effectively prevent or modify the course of these common conditions. In this scientific statement, we review the basic cellular structures of the human heart valves and discuss how these structures change in primary valvular heart disease. We focus on the most common primary valvular heart diseases, including calcific aortic stenosis, bicuspid aortic valves, mitral valve prolapse, and rheumatic heart disease, and outline the fundamental molecular discoveries contributing to each. We further outline potential therapeutic molecular targets for primary valvular heart disease and discuss key knowledge gaps that might serve as future research priorities.
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Sivaguru M, Mori S, Fouke KW, Ajijola OA, Shivkumar K, Samuel AZ, Bhargava R, Fouke BW. Osteopontin stabilization and collagen containment slows amorphous calcium phosphate transformation during human aortic valve leaflet calcification. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12222. [PMID: 38806601 PMCID: PMC11133482 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62962-8] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Calcification of aortic valve leaflets is a growing mortality threat for the 18 million human lives claimed globally each year by heart disease. Extensive research has focused on the cellular and molecular pathophysiology associated with calcification, yet the detailed composition, structure, distribution and etiological history of mineral deposition remains unknown. Here transdisciplinary geology, biology and medicine (GeoBioMed) approaches prove that leaflet calcification is driven by amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), ACP at the threshold of transformation toward hydroxyapatite (HAP) and cholesterol biomineralization. A paragenetic sequence of events is observed that includes: (1) original formation of unaltered leaflet tissues: (2) individual and coalescing 100's nm- to 1 μm-scale ACP spherules and cholesterol crystals biomineralizing collagen fibers and smooth muscle cell myofilaments; (3) osteopontin coatings that stabilize ACP and collagen containment of nodules preventing exposure to the solution chemistry and water content of pumping blood, which combine to slow transformation to HAP; (4) mm-scale nodule growth via ACP spherule coalescence, diagenetic incorporation of altered collagen and aggregation with other ACP nodules; and (5) leaflet diastole and systole flexure causing nodules to twist, fold their encasing collagen fibers and increase stiffness. These in vivo mechanisms combine to slow leaflet calcification and establish previously unexplored hypotheses for testing novel drug therapies and clinical interventions as viable alternatives to current reliance on surgical/percutaneous valve implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayandi Sivaguru
- Cytometry and Microscopy to Omics Facility, Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Earth Science & Environmental Change, School of Earth, Society and the Environment, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
| | - Shumpei Mori
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Center and Neurocardiology Research Program of Excellence, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kyle W Fouke
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Olujimi A Ajijola
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Center and Neurocardiology Research Program of Excellence, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kalyanam Shivkumar
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Center and Neurocardiology Research Program of Excellence, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ashok Z Samuel
- Department of Bioengineering, Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Rohit Bhargava
- Department of Bioengineering, Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Bruce W Fouke
- Earth Science & Environmental Change, School of Earth, Society and the Environment, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior, School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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Kitagawa T, Sentani K, Ikegami Y, Takasaki T, Takahashi S, Nakano Y. Relationship Between Clinical Parameters and Histological Features of Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Aortic Valve Calcification Assessed on Computed Tomography. Circ J 2024:CJ-24-0226. [PMID: 38763753 DOI: 10.1253/circj.cj-24-0226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationships of the clinical and biological attributes of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) with aortic valve calcification (AVC) have not been characterized. We evaluated the relationships of the clinical and histological features of EAT with AVC assessed using computed tomography (CT).Methods and Results: We enrolled 43 patients undergoing cardiac CT examination prior to elective cardiac surgery in whom AVC was identified on CT. EAT volume and density, coronary calcium score (CCS), AVC score (AVCS), and coronary atherosclerosis on CT angiography were evaluated in each patient. During cardiac surgery, 2 EAT samples were obtained for immunohistochemistry. The number of CD68- and CD11c-positive macrophages and osteocalcin-positive cells was counted in 6 random high-power fields of EAT sections. EAT density, but not EAT volume normalized to body surface area, was positively correlated with the number of macrophages and osteocalcin-positive cells in EAT. There was a positive correlation between ln(AVCS), but not ln(CCS+1), and the number of macrophages and osteocalcin-positive cells in EAT. Multivariate analysis revealed significant positive correlations for ln(AVCS) with EAT density (β=0.42; P=0.0072) and the number of CD68-positive macrophages (β=0.57; P=0.0022), CD11c-positive macrophages (β=0.62; P=0.0003), and osteocalcin-positive cells (β=0.52; P=0.0021) in EAT. CONCLUSIONS Inflammation and osteogenesis in EAT, reflected by high CT density, are associated with the severity of AVC representing aortic valve degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiro Kitagawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences
| | - Kazuhiro Sentani
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Hiroshima University Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences
| | - Yuki Ikegami
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences
| | - Taiichi Takasaki
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hiroshima University Hospital
| | - Shinya Takahashi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hiroshima University Hospital
| | - Yukiko Nakano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences
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5
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Gorashi RM, Baddour T, Chittle SJ, Vélez NEF, Wenning MA, Anseth KS, Mestroni L, Peña B, Guo P, Aguado BA. Y chromosome linked UTY modulates sex differences in valvular fibroblast methylation in response to nanoscale extracellular matrix cues. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.13.593760. [PMID: 38798394 PMCID: PMC11118428 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.13.593760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is a progressive disease wherein males develop valve calcification relative to females that develop valve fibrosis. Valvular interstitial cells (VICs) aberrantly activate to myofibroblasts during AVS, driving the fibrotic valve phenotype in females. Myofibroblasts further differentiate into osteoblast-like cells and secrete calcium nanoparticles, driving valve calcification in males. We hypothesized the lysine demethylase UTY (ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat containing, Y-linked) decreases methylation uniquely in response to nanoparticle cues in the valve extracellular matrix to promote an osteoblast-like phenotype. Here, we describe a bioinspired hydrogel cell culture platform to interrogate how nanoscale cues modulate sex-specific methylation states in VICs activating to myofibroblasts and osteoblast-like cells. We found UTY (ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat containing, Y-linked) modulates VIC phenotypes in response to nanoscale cues uniquely in males. Overall, we reveal a novel role of UTY in the regulation of calcification processes in males during AVS progression.
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6
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Shih JY, Gee T, Scuderi G, Butcher J. Biomechanical Remodeling of Aortic Valve Interstitial Cells During Calcified Lesion Formation In Vitro. Ann Biomed Eng 2024; 52:1270-1279. [PMID: 38374519 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-024-03451-x] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Healthy aortic heart valves are essential to the regulation of unidirectional blood flow. Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is an actively progressive disease that involves the disorganization of valve cells and accumulation of calcium deposits on the aortic valve leaflets. CAVD involves disruption of cell environment homeostasis that prior cell culture models have found difficult to portray and model. As it is still poorly understood how tissue stiffening associates with lesion formation, here, we implement a novel 3D culture platform to characterize the relationship between mechanical stress and tissue remodeling and analyze how the application of pro-osteogenic stimulation dysregulates the native ability of valve cells to organize its matrix. Through a temporal study of macroscopic remodeling, we determine that aortic valve interstitial neo-tissues undergo varying stiffness and mechanical stress, demonstrate greater myofibroblastic gene expression, and show greater remodeling activity in the outer surface of the neo-tissue in a banding pattern when cultured in osteogenic growth medium. In human aortic valve interstitial cells cultured in osteogenic growth medium, we observed an increase in stress but significant decreases in myofibroblastic gene expression with the addition of growth factors. In summary, we are able to see the interplay of biochemical and biomechanical stimuli in valvular remodeling by using our platform to model dynamic stiffening of valve interstitial neo-tissues under different biochemical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Yushiuan Shih
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, 304 Weill Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Terence Gee
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, 304 Weill Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Gaetano Scuderi
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, 304 Weill Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Jonathan Butcher
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, 304 Weill Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
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7
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Saeid Nia M, Floder LM, Seiler JA, Puehler T, Pommert NS, Berndt R, Meier D, Sellers SL, Sathananthan J, Zhang X, Hasler M, Gorb SN, Warnecke G, Lutter G. Optimization of Enzymatic and Chemical Decellularization of Native Porcine Heart Valves for the Generation of Decellularized Xenografts. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4026. [PMID: 38612836 PMCID: PMC11012489 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074026] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the most important medical interventions for individuals with heart valvular disease is heart valve replacement, which is not without substantial challenges, particularly for pediatric patients. Due to their biological properties and biocompatibility, natural tissue-originated scaffolds derived from human or animal sources are one type of scaffold that is widely used in tissue engineering. However, they are known for their high potential for immunogenicity. Being free of cells and genetic material, decellularized xenografts, consequently, have low immunogenicity and, thus, are expected to be tolerated by the recipient's immune system. The scaffold ultrastructure and ECM composition can be affected by cell removal agents. Therefore, applying an appropriate method that preserves intact the structure of the ECM plays a critical role in the final result. So far, there has not been an effective decellularization technique that preserves the integrity of the heart valve's ultrastructure while securing the least amount of genetic material left. This study demonstrates a new protocol with untraceable cells and residual DNA, thereby maximally reducing any chance of immunogenicity. The mechanical and biochemical properties of the ECM resemble those of native heart valves. Results from this study strongly indicate that different critical factors, such as ionic detergent omission, the substitution of Triton X-100 with Tergitol, and using a lower concentration of trypsin and a higher concentration of DNase and RNase, play a significant role in maintaining intact the ultrastructure and function of the ECM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monireh Saeid Nia
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), 24105 Kiel, Germany; (M.S.N.); (L.M.F.); (J.A.S.); (N.S.P.); (X.Z.); (G.W.)
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 69120 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Lena Maria Floder
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), 24105 Kiel, Germany; (M.S.N.); (L.M.F.); (J.A.S.); (N.S.P.); (X.Z.); (G.W.)
| | - Jette Anika Seiler
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), 24105 Kiel, Germany; (M.S.N.); (L.M.F.); (J.A.S.); (N.S.P.); (X.Z.); (G.W.)
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 69120 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Thomas Puehler
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 69120 Hamburg, Germany;
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Nina Sophie Pommert
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), 24105 Kiel, Germany; (M.S.N.); (L.M.F.); (J.A.S.); (N.S.P.); (X.Z.); (G.W.)
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 69120 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Rouven Berndt
- Clinic of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), 24105 Kiel, Germany;
| | - David Meier
- Department of Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Stephanie L. Sellers
- Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada; (S.L.S.); (J.S.)
- Cardiovascular Translational Laboratory, Providence Research & Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Centre for Heart Valve Innovation, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Janarthanan Sathananthan
- Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada; (S.L.S.); (J.S.)
- Cardiovascular Translational Laboratory, Providence Research & Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Centre for Heart Valve Innovation, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Xiling Zhang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), 24105 Kiel, Germany; (M.S.N.); (L.M.F.); (J.A.S.); (N.S.P.); (X.Z.); (G.W.)
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 69120 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Mario Hasler
- Lehrfach Variationsstatistik, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany;
| | - Stanislav N. Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany;
| | - Gregor Warnecke
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), 24105 Kiel, Germany; (M.S.N.); (L.M.F.); (J.A.S.); (N.S.P.); (X.Z.); (G.W.)
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 69120 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Georg Lutter
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), 24105 Kiel, Germany; (M.S.N.); (L.M.F.); (J.A.S.); (N.S.P.); (X.Z.); (G.W.)
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 69120 Hamburg, Germany;
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Brodeur A, Roy V, Touzel-Deschênes L, Bianco S, Droit A, Fradette J, Ruel J, Gros-Louis F. Transcriptomic Analysis of Mineralized Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Tissues for Calcific Valve Disease Modelling. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2291. [PMID: 38396969 PMCID: PMC10889332 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042291] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is characterized by the fibrosis and mineralization of the aortic valve, which leads to aortic stenosis and heart failure. At the cellular level, this is due to the osteoblastic-like differentiation of valve interstitial cells (VICs), resulting in the calcification of the tissue. Unfortunately, human VICs are not readily available to study CAVD pathogenesis and the implicated mechanisms in vitro; however, adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs), carrying the patient's specific genomic features, have emerged as a promising cell source to model cardiovascular diseases due to their multipotent nature, availability, and patient-specific characteristics. In this study, we describe a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of tissue-engineered, scaffold-free, ASC-embedded mineralized tissue sheets using bulk RNA sequencing. Bioinformatic and gene set enrichment analyses revealed the up-regulation of genes associated with the organization of the extracellular matrix (ECM), suggesting that the ECM could play a vital role in the enhanced mineralization observed in these tissue-engineered ASC-embedded sheets. Upon comparison with publicly available gene expression datasets from CAVD patients, striking similarities emerged regarding cardiovascular diseases and ECM functions, suggesting a potential link between ECM gene expression and CAVDs pathogenesis. A matrisome-related sub-analysis revealed the ECM microenvironment promotes the transcriptional activation of the master gene runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), which is essential in CAVD development. Tissue-engineered ASC-embedded sheets with enhanced mineralization could be a valuable tool for research and a promising avenue for the identification of more effective aortic valve replacement therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Brodeur
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 5C3, Canada; (A.B.); (V.R.); (L.T.-D.); (J.F.)
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, CHU de Quebec Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC G1J 5B3, Canada;
| | - Vincent Roy
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 5C3, Canada; (A.B.); (V.R.); (L.T.-D.); (J.F.)
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, CHU de Quebec Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC G1J 5B3, Canada;
| | - Lydia Touzel-Deschênes
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 5C3, Canada; (A.B.); (V.R.); (L.T.-D.); (J.F.)
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, CHU de Quebec Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC G1J 5B3, Canada;
| | - Stéphanie Bianco
- Department of Molecular Medicine, CHU de Quebec Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC G1V 5C3, Canada; (S.B.); (A.D.)
- Computational Biology Laboratory, CHU de Quebec Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Arnaud Droit
- Department of Molecular Medicine, CHU de Quebec Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC G1V 5C3, Canada; (S.B.); (A.D.)
- Computational Biology Laboratory, CHU de Quebec Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Julie Fradette
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 5C3, Canada; (A.B.); (V.R.); (L.T.-D.); (J.F.)
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, CHU de Quebec Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC G1J 5B3, Canada;
| | - Jean Ruel
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, CHU de Quebec Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC G1J 5B3, Canada;
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - François Gros-Louis
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 5C3, Canada; (A.B.); (V.R.); (L.T.-D.); (J.F.)
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, CHU de Quebec Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC G1J 5B3, Canada;
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Notenboom ML, Van Hoof L, Schuermans A, Takkenberg JJM, Rega FR, Taverne YJHJ. Aortic Valve Embryology, Mechanobiology, and Second Messenger Pathways: Implications for Clinical Practice. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2024; 11:49. [PMID: 38392263 PMCID: PMC10888685 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd11020049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
During the Renaissance, Leonardo Da Vinci was the first person to successfully detail the anatomy of the aortic root and its adjacent structures. Ever since, novel insights into morphology, function, and their interplay have accumulated, resulting in advanced knowledge on the complex functional characteristics of the aortic valve (AV) and root. This has shifted our vision from the AV as being a static structure towards that of a dynamic interconnected apparatus within the aortic root as a functional unit, exhibiting a complex interplay with adjacent structures via both humoral and mechanical stimuli. This paradigm shift has stimulated surgical treatment strategies of valvular disease that seek to recapitulate healthy AV function, whereby AV disease can no longer be seen as an isolated morphological pathology which needs to be replaced. As prostheses still cannot reproduce the complexity of human nature, treatment of diseased AVs, whether stenotic or insufficient, has tremendously evolved, with a similar shift towards treatments options that are more hemodynamically centered, such as the Ross procedure and valve-conserving surgery. Native AV and root components allow for an efficient Venturi effect over the valve to allow for optimal opening during the cardiac cycle, while also alleviating the left ventricle. Next to that, several receptors are present on native AV leaflets, enabling messenger pathways based on their interaction with blood and other shear-stress-related stimuli. Many of these physiological and hemodynamical processes are under-acknowledged but may hold important clues for innovative treatment strategies, or as potential novel targets for therapeutic agents that halt or reverse the process of valve degeneration. A structured overview of these pathways and their implications for cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiologists is lacking. As such, we provide an overview on embryology, hemodynamics, and messenger pathways of the healthy and diseased AV and its implications for clinical practice, by relating this knowledge to current treatment alternatives and clinical decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximiliaan L Notenboom
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lucas Van Hoof
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Art Schuermans
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johanna J M Takkenberg
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Filip R Rega
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yannick J H J Taverne
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Liu X, Li T, Sun J, Wang Z. The Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease. Can J Cardiol 2023; 39:1571-1580. [PMID: 37516250 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2023.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), which is involved in osteogenic reprogramming of valvular interstitial cells, is the most common form of valve disease. It still lacks effective pharmacologic intervention, as its cellular biological mechanisms remain unclear. Congenital abnormality (bicuspid valve) and older age are considered to be the most powerful risk factors for CAVD. Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) and calcific aortic stenosis (CAS), 2 subclinical forms of CAVD, represent 2 distinct stages of aortic valve calcification. During the AVS stage, the disease is characterised by endothelial activation/damage, inflammatory response, and lipid infiltration accompanied by microcalcification. The CAS stage is dominated by calcification, resulting in valvular dysfunction and severe obstruction to cardiac outflow, which is life threatening if surgery is not performed in time. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, a state in which conditions disrupting ER homeostasis cause an accumulation of unfolded and misfolded proteins in the ER lumen, has been shown to promote osteogenic differentiation and aortic valve calcification. Therefore, identifying targets or drugs for suppressing ER stress may be a novel approach for CAVD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Liu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China; Medicial Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ting Li
- School of Life Science, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Taian, Shandong, China
| | - Jun Sun
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhengjun Wang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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11
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Snyder Y, Jana S. Strategies for Development of Synthetic Heart Valve Tissue Engineering Scaffolds. PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE 2023; 139:101173. [PMID: 37981978 PMCID: PMC10655624 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmatsci.2023.101173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
The current clinical solutions, including mechanical and bioprosthetic valves for valvular heart diseases, are plagued by coagulation, calcification, nondurability, and the inability to grow with patients. The tissue engineering approach attempts to resolve these shortcomings by producing heart valve scaffolds that may deliver patients a life-long solution. Heart valve scaffolds serve as a three-dimensional support structure made of biocompatible materials that provide adequate porosity for cell infiltration, and nutrient and waste transport, sponsor cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, and allow for extracellular matrix production that together contributes to the generation of functional neotissue. The foundation of successful heart valve tissue engineering is replicating native heart valve architecture, mechanics, and cellular attributes through appropriate biomaterials and scaffold designs. This article reviews biomaterials, the fabrication of heart valve scaffolds, and their in-vitro and in-vivo evaluations applied for heart valve tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuriy Snyder
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Soumen Jana
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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12
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Dittfeld C, Winkelkotte M, Scheer A, Voigt E, Schmieder F, Behrens S, Jannasch A, Matschke K, Sonntag F, Tugtekin SM. Challenges of aortic valve tissue culture - maintenance of viability and extracellular matrix in the pulsatile dynamic microphysiological system. J Biol Eng 2023; 17:60. [PMID: 37770970 PMCID: PMC10538250 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-023-00377-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) causes an increasing health burden in the 21st century due to aging population. The complex pathophysiology remains to be understood to develop novel prevention and treatment strategies. Microphysiological systems (MPSs), also known as organ-on-chip or lab-on-a-chip systems, proved promising in bridging in vitro and in vivo approaches by applying integer AV tissue and modelling biomechanical microenvironment. This study introduces a novel MPS comprising different micropumps in conjunction with a tissue-incubation-chamber (TIC) for long-term porcine and human AV incubation (pAV, hAV). RESULTS Tissue cultures in two different MPS setups were compared and validated by a bimodal viability analysis and extracellular matrix transformation assessment. The MPS-TIC conjunction proved applicable for incubation periods of 14-26 days. An increased metabolic rate was detected for pulsatile dynamic MPS culture compared to static condition indicated by increased LDH intensity. ECM changes such as an increase of collagen fibre content in line with tissue contraction and mass reduction, also observed in early CAVD, were detected in MPS-TIC culture, as well as an increase of collagen fibre content. Glycosaminoglycans remained stable, no significant alterations of α-SMA or CD31 epitopes and no accumulation of calciumhydroxyapatite were observed after 14 days of incubation. CONCLUSIONS The presented ex vivo MPS allows long-term AV tissue incubation and will be adopted for future investigation of CAVD pathophysiology, also implementing human tissues. The bimodal viability assessment and ECM analyses approve reliability of ex vivo CAVD investigation and comparability of parallel tissue segments with different treatment strategies regarding the AV (patho)physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Dittfeld
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Heart Centre Dresden, Fetscherstr. 76, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Maximilian Winkelkotte
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Heart Centre Dresden, Fetscherstr. 76, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anna Scheer
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Heart Centre Dresden, Fetscherstr. 76, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Emmely Voigt
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Heart Centre Dresden, Fetscherstr. 76, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Florian Schmieder
- Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stephan Behrens
- Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anett Jannasch
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Heart Centre Dresden, Fetscherstr. 76, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Klaus Matschke
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Heart Centre Dresden, Fetscherstr. 76, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Frank Sonntag
- Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sems-Malte Tugtekin
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Heart Centre Dresden, Fetscherstr. 76, 01307, Dresden, Germany
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Yu W, Zhu X, Liu J, Zhou J. Biofunctionalized Decellularized Tissue-Engineered Heart Valve with Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Controlled Release of VEGF and RunX2-siRNA against Calcification. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:859. [PMID: 37508886 PMCID: PMC10376836 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10070859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The goal of tissue-engineered heart valves (TEHV) is to replace normal heart valves and overcome the shortcomings of heart valve replacement commonly used in clinical practice. However, calcification of TEHV is the major bottleneck to break for both clinical workers and researchers. Endothelialization of TEHV plays a crucial role in delaying valve calcification by reducing platelet adhesion and covering the calcified spots. In the present study, we loaded RunX2-siRNA and VEGF into mesoporous silica nanoparticles and investigated the properties of anti-calcification and endothelialization in vitro. Then, the mesoporous silica nanoparticle was immobilized on the decellularized porcine aortic valve (DPAV) by layer self-assembly and investigated the anti-calcification and endothelialization. Our results demonstrated that the mesoporous silica nanoparticles delivery vehicle demonstrated good biocompatibility, and a stable release of RunX2-siRNA and VEGF. The hybrid decellularized valve exhibited a low hemolysis rate and promoted endothelial cell proliferation and adhesion while silencing RunX2 gene expression in valve interstitial cells, and the hybrid decellularized valve showed good mechanical properties. Finally, the in vivo experiment showed that the mesoporous silica nanoparticles delivery vehicle could enhance the endothelialization of the hybrid valve. In summary, we constructed a delivery system based on mesoporous silica to biofunctionalized TEHV scaffold for endothelialization and anti-calcification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenpeng Yu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Xiaowei Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jichun Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Jianliang Zhou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Nanchang 330006, China
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14
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Bouhamida E, Morciano G, Pedriali G, Ramaccini D, Tremoli E, Giorgi C, Pinton P, Patergnani S. The Complex Relationship between Hypoxia Signaling, Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Inflammation in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease: Insights from the Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11105. [PMID: 37446282 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) is among the most common causes of cardiovascular mortality in an aging population worldwide. The pathomechanisms of CAVS are such a complex and multifactorial process that researchers are still making progress to understand its physiopathology as well as the complex players involved in CAVS pathogenesis. Currently, there is no successful and effective treatment to prevent or slow down the disease. Surgical and transcatheter valve replacement represents the only option available for treating CAVS. Insufficient oxygen availability (hypoxia) has a critical role in the pathogenesis of almost all CVDs. This process is orchestrated by the hallmark transcription factor, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha subunit (HIF-1α), which plays a pivotal role in regulating various target hypoxic genes and metabolic adaptations. Recent studies have shown a great deal of interest in understanding the contribution of HIF-1α in the pathogenesis of CAVS. However, it is deeply intertwined with other major contributors, including sustained inflammation and mitochondrial impairments, which are attributed primarily to CAVS. The present review aims to cover the latest understanding of the complex interplay effect of hypoxia signaling pathways, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation in CAVS. We propose further hypotheses and interconnections on the complexity of these impacts in a perspective of better understanding the pathophysiology. These interplays will be examined considering recent studies that shall help us better dissect the molecular mechanism to enable the design and development of potential future therapeutic approaches that can prevent or slow down CAVS processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmaa Bouhamida
- Translational Research Center, Maria Cecilia Hospital GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Morciano
- Translational Research Center, Maria Cecilia Hospital GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, Italy
- Department of Medical Sciences, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gaia Pedriali
- Translational Research Center, Maria Cecilia Hospital GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, Italy
| | - Daniela Ramaccini
- Translational Research Center, Maria Cecilia Hospital GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, Italy
| | - Elena Tremoli
- Translational Research Center, Maria Cecilia Hospital GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, Italy
| | - Carlotta Giorgi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paolo Pinton
- Translational Research Center, Maria Cecilia Hospital GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, Italy
- Department of Medical Sciences, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Simone Patergnani
- Translational Research Center, Maria Cecilia Hospital GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, Italy
- Department of Medical Sciences, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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15
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Wu L, Huang K, Li Q, Wu H, Gao Y, Xu X, Liu X, Han L. Crosstalk between myofibroblasts and macrophages: A regulative factor of valvular fibrosis in calcific aortic valve disease. Cell Biol Int 2023; 47:754-767. [PMID: 36542640 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation and fibrosis are highly correlated with the progression of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). As one of the differentiated forms of valvular interstitial cells, myofibroblasts play a critical role in CAVD's development as do macrophages. Although numerous studies have been conducted on them separately, their communication and interaction remain unclear. We used porcine aortic valves to isolate valve interstitial cells (VICs). VICs were induced to differentiate into myofibroblasts by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). After successful activation was determined, the myofibroblast-conditioned medium (CM) was collected and used to act on RAW264.7, a macrophage cell line. A migration and adhesion assay estimated the recruitment capability of myofibroblasts on macrophages. We used flow cytometry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and Western blot analysis to investigate myofibroblasts' polarity promotion function in macrophages. Finally, we used macrophage-CM on VICs to explore the differentiation induction function of polarized macrophages. Myofibroblast marker alpha-smooth muscle actin and M2 macrophage marker CD163 were detected as upregulated in CAVD patients, and their expression has a certain correlation. The Smad3/HA/CD44 axis activated the differentiation of myofibroblasts by Western blot. The myofibroblast-CM can promote chemotaxis and adhesion of macrophages through protein kinase B/chemokine (C-C motif) ligand5 and Smad3/HA/CD44, respectively. Hyaluronic acid (HA) inside the myofibroblast-CM stimulates macrophages to polarize into M2 macrophages. In turn, M2 macrophage-CM has the promotive ability to activate myofibroblasts but fails to induce the osteoblast differentiation of VICs directly. The crosstalk between myofibroblasts and macrophages causes the excessive activation of myofibroblasts. This positive feedback loop may play a vital role in CAVD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lujia Wu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Huang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin Li
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangyang Xu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohong Liu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Han
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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16
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Banihashemian A, Benisi SZ, Hosseinzadeh S, Shojaei S. Biomimetic biphasic scaffolds in osteochondral tissue engineering: Their composition, structure and consequences. Acta Histochem 2023; 125:152023. [PMID: 36940532 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2023.152023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Approaches to the design and construction of biomimetic scaffolds for osteochondral tissue, show increasing advances. Considering the limitations of this tissue in terms of repair and regeneration, there is a need to develop appropriately designed scaffolds. A combination of biodegradable polymers especially natural polymers and bioactive ceramics, shows promise in this field. Due to the complicated architecture of this tissue, biphasic and multiphasic scaffolds containing two or more different layers, could mimic the physiology and function of this tissue with a higher degree of similarity. The purpose of this review article is to discuss the approaches focused on the application of biphasic scaffolds for osteochondral tissue engineering, common methods of combining layers and the ultimate consequences of their use in patients were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdolvahab Banihashemian
- Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies Department, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Central Tehran Branch Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Soheila Zamanlui Benisi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Institute, Tehran Central Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Simzar Hosseinzadeh
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Shahrokh Shojaei
- Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tehran, Iran
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17
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Kong X, Meng L, Wei K, Lv X, Liu C, Lin F, Gu X. Exploration and validation of the influence of angiogenesis-related factors in aortic valve calcification. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1061077. [PMID: 36824454 PMCID: PMC9941152 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1061077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the years, bioinformatics tools have been used to identify functional genes. In the present study, bioinformatics analyses were conducted to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of angiogenic factors in calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). The raw gene expression profiles were from datasets GSE153555, GSE83453, and GSE51472, and the angiogenesis-related gene set was from the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis database (GSEA). In this study, R was used to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and co-expressed genes. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) Pathway enrichment analysis were performed on DEGs and validated in clinical samples. DEGs in CAVD were significantly enriched in numerous immune response pathways, inflammatory response pathways and angiogenesis-related pathways. Nine highly expressed angiogenesis-related genes were identified, of which secretogranin II (SCG2) was the most critical gene. MiRNA and transcription factors (TFs) networks were established centered on five DEGs, and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) was the most important transcription factor, verified by PCR, immunohistochemical staining and western blotting experiments. Overall, this study identified key genes and TFs that may be involved in the pathogenesis of CAVD and may have promising applications in the treatment of CAVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- XiangJin Kong
- Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - LingWei Meng
- Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - KaiMing Wei
- Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xin Lv
- Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - ChuanZhen Liu
- Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - FuShun Lin
- Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - XingHua Gu
- Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China,*Correspondence: XingHua Gu,
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18
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Correlation between aortic valve protein levels and vector flow mapping of wall shear stress and oscillatory shear index in patients supported with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices. J Heart Lung Transplant 2023; 42:64-75. [PMID: 36400676 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2022.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices commonly lead to aortic regurgitation, which results in decreased pump efficiency and worsening heart failure. We hypothesized that non-physiological wall shear stress and oscillatory shear index alter the abundance of structural proteins in aortic valves of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients. METHODS Doppler images of aortic valves of patients undergoing heart transplants were obtained. Eight patients had been supported with LVADs, whereas 10 were not. Aortic valve tissue was collected and protein levels were analyzed using mass spectrometry. Echocardiographic images were analyzed and wall shear stress and oscillatory shear index were calculated. The relationship between normalized levels of individual proteins and in vivo echocardiographic measurements was evaluated. RESULTS Of the 57 proteins of interest, there was a strong negative correlation between levels of 15 proteins and the wall shear stress (R < -0.500, p ≤ 0.05), and a moderate negative correlation between 16 proteins and wall shear stress (R -0.500 to -0.300, p ≤ 0.05). Gene ontology analysis demonstrated clusters of proteins involved in cellular structure. Proteins negatively correlated with WSS included those with cytoskeletal, actin/myosin, cell-cell junction and extracellular functions. C: In aortic valve tissue, 31 proteins were identified involved in cellular structure and extracellular junctions with a negative correlation between their levels and wall shear stress. These findings suggest an association between the forces acting on the aortic valve (AV) and leaflet protein abundance, and may form a mechanical basis for the increased risk of aortic leaflet degeneration in LVAD patients.
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19
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Clift CL, Saunders J, Drake RR, Angel PM. Perspectives on pediatric congenital aortic valve stenosis: Extracellular matrix proteins, post translational modifications, and proteomic strategies. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:1024049. [PMID: 36439995 PMCID: PMC9685993 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1024049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In heart valve biology, organization of the extracellular matrix structure is directly correlated to valve function. This is especially true in cases of pediatric congenital aortic valve stenosis (pCAVS), in which extracellular matrix (ECM) dysregulation is a hallmark of the disease, eventually leading to left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure. Therapeutic strategies are limited, especially in pediatric cases in which mechanical and tissue engineered valve replacements may not be a suitable option. By identifying mechanisms of translational and post-translational dysregulation of ECM in CAVS, potential drug targets can be identified, and better bioengineered solutions can be developed. In this review, we summarize current knowledge regarding ECM proteins and their post translational modifications (PTMs) during aortic valve development and disease and contributing factors to ECM dysregulation in CAVS. Additionally, we aim to draw parallels between other fibrotic disease and contributions to ECM post-translational modifications. Finally, we explore the current treatment options in pediatrics and identify how the field of proteomics has advanced in recent years, highlighting novel characterization methods of ECM and PTMs that may be used to identify potential therapeutic strategies relevant to pCAVS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra L. Clift
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Janet Saunders
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Richard R. Drake
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Peggi M. Angel
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- *Correspondence: Peggi M. Angel,
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Salim MT, Villa-Roel N, Vogel B, Jo H, Yoganathan AP. HIF1A inhibitor PX-478 reduces pathological stretch-induced calcification and collagen turnover in aortic valve. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:1002067. [PMID: 36419483 PMCID: PMC9676244 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1002067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
HIF1A is significantly upregulated in calcified human aortic valves (AVs). Furthermore, HIF1A inhibitor PX-478 was shown to inhibit AV calcification under static and disturbed flow conditions. Since elevated stretch is one of the major mechanical stimuli for AV calcification, we investigated the effect of PX-478 on AV calcification and collagen turnover under a pathophysiological cyclic stretch (15%) condition. Porcine aortic valve (PAV) leaflets were cyclically (1 Hz) stretched at 15% for 24 days in osteogenic medium with or without PX-478. In addition, PAV leaflets were cyclically stretched at a physiological (10%) and 15% for 3 days in regular medium to assess its effect of on HIF1A mRNA expression. It was found that 100 μM (high concentration) PX-478 could significantly inhibit PAV calcification under 15% stretch, whereas 50 μM (moderate concentration) PX-478 showed a modest inhibitory effect on PAV calcification. Nonetheless, 50 μM PX-478 significantly reduced PAV collagen turnover under 15% stretch. Surprisingly, it was observed that cyclic stretch (15% vs. 10%) did not have any significant effect on HIF1A mRNA expression in PAV leaflets. These results suggest that HIF1A inhibitor PX-478 may impart its anti-calcific and anti-matrix remodeling effect in a stretch-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Tausif Salim
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Nicolas Villa-Roel
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Booth Vogel
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Hanjoong Jo
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ajit P. Yoganathan
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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21
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Hazra R, Brine L, Garcia L, Benz B, Chirathivat N, Shen MM, Wilkinson JE, Lyons SK, Spector DL. Platr4 is an early embryonic lncRNA that exerts its function downstream on cardiogenic mesodermal lineage commitment. Dev Cell 2022; 57:2450-2468.e7. [PMID: 36347239 PMCID: PMC9680017 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.10.002] [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: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian genome encodes thousands of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), many of which are developmentally regulated and differentially expressed across tissues, suggesting their potential roles in cellular differentiation. Despite this expression pattern, little is known about how lncRNAs influence lineage commitment at the molecular level. Here, we demonstrate that perturbation of an embryonic stem cell/early embryonic lncRNA, pluripotency-associated transcript 4 (Platr4), directly influences the specification of cardiac-mesoderm-lineage differentiation. We show that Platr4 acts as a molecular scaffold or chaperone interacting with the Hippo-signaling pathway molecules Yap and Tead4 to regulate the expression of a downstream target gene, Ctgf, which is crucial to the cardiac-lineage program. Importantly, Platr4 knockout mice exhibit myocardial atrophy and valve mucinous degeneration, which are both associated with reduced cardiac output and sudden heart failure. Together, our findings provide evidence that Platr4 is required in cardiac-lineage specification and adult heart function in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmani Hazra
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Lily Brine
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Libia Garcia
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Brian Benz
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Napon Chirathivat
- Departments of Medicine, Genetics and Development, Urology, and Systems Biology, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Michael M Shen
- Departments of Medicine, Genetics and Development, Urology, and Systems Biology, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | - Scott K Lyons
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - David L Spector
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA.
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22
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Majumdar U, Choudhury TZ, Manivannan S, Ueyama Y, Basu M, Garg V. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis of aortic valve interstitial cells demonstrates the regulation of integrin signaling by nitric oxide. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:742850. [PMID: 36386365 PMCID: PMC9640371 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.742850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is an increasingly prevalent condition among the elderly population that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Insufficient understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms has hindered the development of pharmacologic therapies for CAVD. Recently, we described nitric oxide (NO) mediated S-nitrosylation as a novel mechanism for preventing the calcific process. We demonstrated that NO donor or an S-nitrosylating agent, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), inhibits spontaneous calcification in porcine aortic valve interstitial cells (pAVICs) and this was supported by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) that demonstrated NO donor and GSNO inhibited myofibroblast activation of pAVICs. Here, we investigated novel signaling pathways that are critical for the calcification of pAVICs that are altered by NO and GSNO by performing an in-depth analysis of the scRNA-seq dataset. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 1,247 differentially expressed genes in pAVICs after NO donor or GSNO treatment compared to untreated cells. Pathway-based analysis of the differentially expressed genes revealed an overrepresentation of the integrin signaling pathway, along with the Rho GTPase, Wnt, TGF-β, and p53 signaling pathways. We demonstrate that ITGA8 and VCL, two of the identified genes from the integrin signaling pathway, which are known to regulate cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) communication and focal adhesion, were upregulated in both in vitro and in vivo calcific conditions. Reduced expression of these genes after treatment with NO donor suggests that NO inhibits calcification by targeting myofibroblast adhesion and ECM remodeling. In addition, withdrawal of NO donor after 3 days of exposure revealed that NO-mediated transcriptional and translational regulation is a transient event and requires continuous NO exposure to inhibit calcification. Overall, our data suggest that NO and S-nitrosylation regulate the integrin signaling pathway to maintain healthy cell-ECM interaction and prevent CAVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uddalak Majumdar
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
- The Heart Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Talita Z. Choudhury
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
- The Heart Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Sathiyanarayanan Manivannan
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
- The Heart Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Yukie Ueyama
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
- The Heart Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Madhumita Basu
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
- The Heart Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Vidu Garg
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
- The Heart Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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23
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Chen L, Wei K, Li J, Li Y, Cao H, Zheng Z. Integrated Analysis of LncRNA-Mediated ceRNA Network in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease. Cells 2022; 11:2204. [PMID: 35883646 PMCID: PMC9315639 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high morbidity and mortality of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) represents an unmet clinical need to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved. Evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can act as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) by binding to microRNAs and regulating target genes in cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, the role of lncRNAs related ceRNA regulation in CAVD remains unclear. METHODS RNAseq data of human diseased aortic valves were downloaded from GEO data sets (GSE153555, GSE199718), and differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs), mRNAs (DEmRNAs) between CAVD and non-calcific aortic valve tissues with limma R package. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Set Enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed with clusterProfiler and gesaplot2 R package. The pivotal microRNAs were predicted by three databases intersection including TargetScan, MiRwalk, miRDB according to the genes related to the crucial pathways. ENCORI was used to predict targeted lncRNAs of hub microRNAs. We constructed lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network with Cytoscape software. The lncRNAs in ceRNA network were verified by RT-qPCR in human 30 calcific and 20 noncalcified aortic valve tissues. RESULTS In total, 1739 DEmRNAs and 266 DElncRNAs were identified in CAVD. GO, KEGG pathway, GSEA annotations suggested that most of these genes are enriched in extracellular matrix (ECM)-reporter interaction pathways. The ceRNA networks associated with ECM-reporter interaction are constructed and related lncRNAs including H19, SNHG3 and ZNF436-AS1 were significant upregulated in human calcific aortic valve tissues, which might be potential therapeutic targets for CAVD. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we proposed a novel lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network related to ECM-reporter interaction pathways, which potentially regulates CAVD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, China & Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100006, China; (L.C.); (K.W.); (J.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Ke Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, China & Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100006, China; (L.C.); (K.W.); (J.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, China & Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100006, China; (L.C.); (K.W.); (J.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, China & Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100006, China; (L.C.); (K.W.); (J.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Huiqing Cao
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhe Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, China & Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100006, China; (L.C.); (K.W.); (J.L.); (Y.L.)
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Central-China Branch of National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Central-China Hospital, Beijing 100037, China
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24
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Phua K, Chew NWS, Kong WKF, Tan RS, Ye L, Poh KK. The mechanistic pathways of oxidative stress in aortic stenosis and clinical implications. Theranostics 2022; 12:5189-5203. [PMID: 35836811 PMCID: PMC9274751 DOI: 10.7150/thno.71813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the elucidation of the pathways behind the development of aortic stenosis (AS), there remains no effective medical treatment to slow or reverse its progress. Instead, the gold standard of care in severe or symptomatic AS is replacement of the aortic valve. Oxidative stress is implicated, both directly as well as indirectly, in lipid infiltration, inflammation and fibro-calcification, all of which are key processes underlying the pathophysiology of degenerative AS. This culminates in the breakdown of the extracellular matrix, differentiation of the valvular interstitial cells into an osteogenic phenotype, and finally, calcium deposition as well as thickening of the aortic valve. Oxidative stress is thus a promising and potential therapeutic target for the treatment of AS. Several studies focusing on the mitigation of oxidative stress in the context of AS have shown some success in animal and in vitro models, however similar benefits have yet to be seen in clinical trials. Statin therapy, once thought to be the key to the treatment of AS, has yielded disappointing results, however newer lipid lowering therapies may hold some promise. Other potential therapies, such as manipulation of microRNAs, blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the use of dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors will also be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailun Phua
- Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nicholas WS Chew
- Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore,✉ Corresponding authors: A/Prof Kian-Keong Poh, . Dr Nicholas Chew, MBChB, MMED (Singapore), MRCP (UK) . Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore. 1E Kent Ridge Rd, NUHS Tower Block, Level 9, Singapore 119228. Fax: (65) 68722998 Telephone: (65) 67722476
| | - William KF Kong
- Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ru-San Tan
- Department of Cardiology, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, 169609, Singapore
| | - Lei Ye
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, 169609, Singapore
| | - Kian-Keong Poh
- Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore,Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore,✉ Corresponding authors: A/Prof Kian-Keong Poh, . Dr Nicholas Chew, MBChB, MMED (Singapore), MRCP (UK) . Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore. 1E Kent Ridge Rd, NUHS Tower Block, Level 9, Singapore 119228. Fax: (65) 68722998 Telephone: (65) 67722476
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25
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Strategies for development of decellularized heart valve scaffolds for tissue engineering. Biomaterials 2022; 288:121675. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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26
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Guo S, Zhang E, Zhang B, Liu Q, Meng Z, Li Z, Wang C, Gong Z, Wu Y. Identification of Key Non-coding RNAs and Transcription Factors in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:826744. [PMID: 35845040 PMCID: PMC9276990 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.826744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is one of the most frequently occurring valvular heart diseases among the aging population. Currently, there is no known pharmacological treatment available to delay or reverse CAVD progression. The regulation of gene expression could contribute to the initiation, progression, and treatment of CAVD. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and transcription factors play essential regulatory roles in gene expression in CAVD; thus, further research is urgently needed. Materials and Methods The gene-expression profiles of GSE51472 and GSE12644 were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in each dataset. A protein-protein-interaction (PPI) network of DEGs was then constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins database, and functional modules were analyzed with ClusterOne plugin in Cytoscape. Furthermore, Gene Ontology-functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes-pathway analysis were conducted for each functional module. Most crucially, ncRNAs and transcription factors acting on each functional module were separately identified using the RNAInter and TRRUST databases. The expression of predicted transcription factors and key genes was validated using GSE51472 and GSE12644. Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) experiments were performed to validate the differential expression of most promising candidates in human CAVD and control samples. Results Among 552 DEGs, 383 were upregulated and 169 were downregulated. In the PPI network, 15 functional modules involving 182 genes and proteins were identified. After hypergeometric testing, 45 ncRNAs and 33 transcription factors were obtained. Among the predicted transcription factors, CIITA, HIF1A, JUN, POU2F2, and STAT6 were differentially expressed in both the training and validation sets. In addition, we found that key genes, namely, CD2, CD86, CXCL8, FCGR3B, GZMB, ITGB2, LY86, MMP9, PPBP, and TYROBP were also differentially expressed in both the training and validation sets. Among the most promising candidates, differential expressions of ETS1, JUN, NFKB1, RELA, SP1, STAT1, ANCR, and LOC101927497 were identified via qRT-PCR experiments. Conclusion In this study, we identified functional modules with ncRNAs and transcription factors involved in CAVD pathogenesis. The current results suggest candidate molecules for further research on CAVD.
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27
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Bogdanova M, Zabirnyk A, Malashicheva A, Semenova D, Kvitting JPE, Kaljusto ML, Perez MDM, Kostareva A, Stensløkken KO, Sullivan GJ, Rutkovskiy A, Vaage J. Models and Techniques to Study Aortic Valve Calcification in Vitro, ex Vivo and in Vivo. An Overview. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:835825. [PMID: 35721220 PMCID: PMC9203042 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.835825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aortic valve stenosis secondary to aortic valve calcification is the most common valve disease in the Western world. Calcification is a result of pathological proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of resident valve interstitial cells. To develop non-surgical treatments, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of pathological calcification must be revealed. In the current overview, we present methods for evaluation of calcification in different ex vivo, in vitro and in vivo situations including imaging in patients. The latter include echocardiography, scanning with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Particular emphasis is on translational studies of calcific aortic valve stenosis with a special focus on cell culture using human primary cell cultures. Such models are widely used and suitable for screening of drugs against calcification. Animal models are presented, but there is no animal model that faithfully mimics human calcific aortic valve disease. A model of experimentally induced calcification in whole porcine aortic valve leaflets ex vivo is also included. Finally, miscellaneous methods and aspects of aortic valve calcification, such as, for instance, biomarkers are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Bogdanova
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arsenii Zabirnyk
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Research and Development, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anna Malashicheva
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Daria Semenova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Mari-Liis Kaljusto
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Anna Kostareva
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Saint Petersburg, Russia.,Department of Woman and Children Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kåre-Olav Stensløkken
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gareth J Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Hybrid Technology Hub - Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Pediatric Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arkady Rutkovskiy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jarle Vaage
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Research and Development, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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28
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Vaidya KA, Donnelly MP, Mahmut A, Jang JW, Gee TW, Aibo MAI, Bossong R, Hall C, Samb S, Chen J, Butcher JT. Rac1 mediates cadherin-11 induced cellular pathogenic processes in aortic valve calcification. Cardiovasc Pathol 2022; 58:107414. [PMID: 35074515 PMCID: PMC8923944 DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2022.107414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), a major cause for surgical aortic valve replacement, currently lacks available pharmacological treatments. Cadherin-11 (Cad11), a promising therapeutic target, promotes aortic valve calcification in vivo, but direct Cad11 inhibition in clinical trials has been unsuccessful. Targeting of downstream Cad11 effectors instead may be clinically useful; however, the downstream effectors that mediate Cad11-induced aortic valve cellular pathogenesis have not been investigated. APPROACH AND RESULTS Immunofluorescence of calcified human aortic valves revealed that GTP-Rac1 is highly upregulated in calcified leaflets and is 2.15 times more co-localized with Cad11 in calcified valves than GTP-RhoA. Using dominant negative mutants in porcine aortic valve interstitial cells (PAVICs), we show that Cad11 predominantly regulates Runx2 nuclear localization via Rac1. Rac1-GEF inhibition via NSC23766 effectively reduces calcification in ex vivo porcine aortic valve leaflets treated with osteogenic media by 2.8-fold and also prevents Cad11-induced cell migration, compaction, and calcification in PAVICs. GTP-Rac1 and Trio, a known Cad11 binding partner and Rac1-GEF, are significantly upregulated in Nfatc1Cre; R26-Cad11Tg/Tg (Cad11 OX) mice that conditionally overexpress Cad11 in the heart valves by 3.1-fold and 6.3-fold, respectively. Finally, we found that the Trio-specific Rac1-GEF inhibitor, ITX3, effectively prevents Cad11-induced calcification and Runx2 induction in osteogenic conditions. CONCLUSION Here we show that Cad11 induces many cellular pathogenic processes via Rac1 and that Rac1 inhibition effectively prevents many Cad11-induced aortic disease phenotypes. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of blocking Rac1-GEFs in CAVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran A Vaidya
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Matthew P Donnelly
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ablajan Mahmut
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Jae Woong Jang
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Terence W Gee
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Robert Bossong
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Clare Hall
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Sanjay Samb
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Albany Medical College, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan Chen
- Department of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, WA, USA
| | - Jonathan T Butcher
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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29
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Monocytes augment inflammatory responses in human aortic valve interstitial cells via β 2-integrin/ICAM-1-mediated signaling. Inflamm Res 2022; 71:681-694. [PMID: 35411432 PMCID: PMC10156628 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-022-01566-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Inflammatory infiltration in aortic valves promotes calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) progression. While soluble extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins induce inflammatory responses in aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs), the impact of monocytes on AVIC inflammatory responses is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that monocytes enhance AVIC inflammatory responses to soluble ECM protein in this study. METHODS Human AVICs isolated from normal aortic valves were cocultured with monocytes and stimulated with soluble ECM protein (matrilin-2). ICAM-1 and IL-6 productions were assessed. YAP and NF-κB phosphorylation were analyzed. Recombinant CD18, neutralizing antibodies against β2-integrin or ICAM-1, and inhibitor of YAP or NF-κB were applied. RESULTS AVIC expression of ICAM-1 and IL-6 was markedly enhanced by the presence of monocytes, although matrilin-2 did not affect monocyte production of ICAM-1 or IL-6. Matrilin-2 up-regulated the expression of monocyte β2-integrin and AVIC ICAM-1, leading to monocyte-AVIC adhesion. Neutralizing β2-integrin or ICAM-1 in coculture suppressed monocyte adhesion to AVICs and the expression of ICAM-1 and IL-6. Recombinant CD18 enhanced the matrilin-2-induced ICAM-1 and IL-6 expression in AVIC monoculture. Further, stimulation of coculture with matrilin-2 induced greater YAP and NF-κB phosphorylation. Inhibiting either YAP or NF-κB markedly suppressed the inflammatory response to matrilin-2 in coculture. CONCLUSION Monocyte β2-integrin interacts with AVIC ICAM-1 to augment AVIC inflammatory responses to soluble matrilin-2 through enhancing the activation of YAP and NF-κB signaling pathways. Infiltrated monocytes may promote valvular inflammation through cell-cell interaction with AVICs to enhance their sensitivity to damage-associated molecular patterns.
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30
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Interdisciplinary Methods for Zoonotic Tissue Acellularization for Natural Heart Valve Substitute of Biomimetic Materials. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15072594. [PMID: 35407927 PMCID: PMC9000896 DOI: 10.3390/ma15072594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The goal of this work was to create a bioactive tissue-based scaffold using multi-disciplinary engineering materials and tissue engineering techniques. Materials & methods: Physical techniques such as direct laser interference lithography and proton radiation were selected as alternative methods of enzymatic and chemical decellularization to remove cells from a tissue without degradation of the extracellular matrix nor its protein structure. This study was an attempt to prepare a functional scaffold for cell culture from tissue of animal origin using new physical methods that have not been considered before. The work was carried out under full control of the histological and molecular analysis. Results & conclusions: The most important finding was that the physical methods used to obtain the decellularized tissue scaffold differed in the efficiency of cell removal from the tissue in favour of the laser method. Both the laser method and the proton method exhibited a destructive effect on tissue structure and the genetic material in cell nuclei. This effect was visible on histology images as blurred areas within the cell nucleus. The finite element 3D simulation of decellularization process of the three-layer tissue of animal origin sample reflected well the mechanical response of tissue described by hyperelastic material models and provided results comparable to the experimental ones.
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Dayawansa NH, Baratchi S, Peter K. Uncoupling the Vicious Cycle of Mechanical Stress and Inflammation in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:783543. [PMID: 35355968 PMCID: PMC8959593 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.783543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a common acquired valvulopathy, which carries a high burden of mortality. Chronic inflammation has been postulated as the predominant pathophysiological process underlying CAVD. So far, no effective medical therapies exist to halt the progression of CAVD. This review aims to outline the known pathways of inflammation and calcification in CAVD, focussing on the critical roles of mechanical stress and mechanosensing in the perpetuation of valvular inflammation. Following initiation of valvular inflammation, dysregulation of proinflammatory and osteoregulatory signalling pathways stimulates endothelial-mesenchymal transition of valvular endothelial cells (VECs) and differentiation of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) into active myofibroblastic and osteoblastic phenotypes, which in turn mediate valvular extracellular matrix remodelling and calcification. Mechanosensitive signalling pathways convert mechanical forces experienced by valve leaflets and circulating cells into biochemical signals and may provide the positive feedback loop that promotes acceleration of disease progression in the advanced stages of CAVD. Mechanosensing is implicated in multiple aspects of CAVD pathophysiology. The mechanosensitive RhoA/ROCK and YAP/TAZ systems are implicated in aortic valve leaflet mineralisation in response to increased substrate stiffness. Exposure of aortic valve leaflets, endothelial cells and platelets to high shear stress results in increased expression of mediators of VIC differentiation. Upregulation of the Piezo1 mechanoreceptor has been demonstrated to promote inflammation in CAVD, which normalises following transcatheter valve replacement. Genetic variants and inhibition of Notch signalling accentuate VIC responses to altered mechanical stresses. The study of mechanosensing pathways has revealed promising insights into the mechanisms that perpetuate inflammation and calcification in CAVD. Mechanotransduction of altered mechanical stresses may provide the sought-after coupling link that drives a vicious cycle of chronic inflammation in CAVD. Mechanosensing pathways may yield promising targets for therapeutic interventions and prognostic biomarkers with the potential to improve the management of CAVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nalin H. Dayawansa
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Cardiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sara Baratchi
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Karlheinz Peter
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Cardiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Karnibad M, Sharabi M, Lavon K, Morany A, Hamdan A, Haj-Ali R. The effect of the fibrocalcific pathological process on aortic valve stenosis in female patients: a finite element study. Biomed Phys Eng Express 2022; 8. [PMID: 35120335 DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/ac5223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common heart valvular disease in the developed world. Most of the relevant research has been sex-blind, ignoring sex-related biological variables and thus under-appreciate sex differences. However, females present pronounced fibrosis for the same aortic stenosis (AS) severity compared with males, who exhibit more calcification. Herein, we present a computational model of fibrocalcific AV, aiming to investigate its effect on AS development. A parametric study was conducted to explore the influence of the total collagen fiber volume and its architecture on the aortic valve area (AVA). Towards that goal, computational models were generated for three females with stenotic AVs and different volumes of calcium. We have tested the influence of fibrosis on various parameters as fiber architecture, fibrosis location, and transvalvular pressure. We found that increased fiber volume with a low calcium volume could actively contribute to AS and reduce the AVA similarly to high calcium volume. Thus, the computed AVAs for our fibrocalcific models were 0.94 and 0.84 cm2and the clinical (Echo) AVAs were 0.82 and 0.8 cm2. For the heavily calcified model, the computed AVA was 0.8 cm2and the clinical AVA was 0.73 cm2. The proposed models demonstrated how collagen thickening influence the fibrocalcific-AS process in female patients. These models can assist in the clinical decision-making process and treatment development in valve therapy for female patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Karnibad
- Tel Aviv University, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tel Aviv, 69978, ISRAEL
| | - Mirit Sharabi
- Ariel University, Department of Mechanical engineering and Mechatronics, Ariel, 407000, ISRAEL
| | - Karin Lavon
- Tel Aviv University, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tel Aviv, 69978, ISRAEL
| | - Adi Morany
- Tel Aviv University, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tel Aviv, 69978, ISRAEL
| | - Ashraf Hamdan
- Tel Aviv University, Department of Cardiology, Rabin Medical Center, Tel Aviv, 69978, ISRAEL
| | - Rami Haj-Ali
- Tel Aviv University, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tel Aviv, 69978, ISRAEL
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Yan F, Huo Q, Zhang W, Wu T, Dilimulati D, Shi L. MiR-138-5p targets RUNX2 to inhibit osteogenic differentiation of aortic valve interstitial cells via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2022; 22:24. [PMID: 35109802 PMCID: PMC8811996 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-022-02471-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human aortic valve interstitial cells (hAVICs) are a key factor in the pathogenesis of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). This research examines the role and mechanism of microRNA miR-138-5p in osteogenic differentiation of hAVICs. Methods RT-qPCR analysis was applied for detecting miR-138-5p and RUNX2 expression in valve tissues of CAVD patients and controls. On completion of induction of osteogenic differentiation of hAVICs, and after overexpression or interference of miR-138-5p expression, the condition of osteogenic differentiation and calcification of hAVICs was confirmed using alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining. Subsequently, western blot was utilized to detect the expression of osteogenesis-related proteins OPN and ALP, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins. Finally, the relationship between miR-138-5p and RUNX2 was validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay and Pearson’s correlation test. Results Down-regulation of miR-138-5p was found in CAVD patients and during osteogenic differentiation of hAVICs. Overexpression of miR-138-5p contribute to the inhibition of osteoblast differentiation and calcium deposition in hAVICs, and of ALP and OPN protein expression. RUNX2 was a target gene of miR-138-5p, and it was negatively correlated with miR-138-5p in CAVD. Additionally, overexpression of RUNX2 could reverse the inhibitory effect of miR-138-5p on osteogenic differentiation of hAVICs. Conclusion miR-138-5p can act as a positive regulator of osteogenic differentiation in CAVD patients to involve in inhibiting valve calcification, which is achieved through RUNX2 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-022-02471-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yan
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, 137 Liyushan South Road, Xinshi District, Urumqi, 830054, Xinjiang, China.
| | - Qiang Huo
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, 137 Liyushan South Road, Xinshi District, Urumqi, 830054, Xinjiang, China
| | - Weimin Zhang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, 137 Liyushan South Road, Xinshi District, Urumqi, 830054, Xinjiang, China
| | - Tingting Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, 137 Liyushan South Road, Xinshi District, Urumqi, 830054, Xinjiang, China
| | - Daniyaer Dilimulati
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, 137 Liyushan South Road, Xinshi District, Urumqi, 830054, Xinjiang, China
| | - Lin Shi
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, 137 Liyushan South Road, Xinshi District, Urumqi, 830054, Xinjiang, China
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Han RI, Hu CW, Loose DS, Yang L, Li L, Connell JP, Reardon MJ, Lawrie GM, Qutub AA, Morrisett JD, Grande-Allen KJ. Differential proteome profile, biological pathways, and network relationships of osteogenic proteins in calcified human aortic valves. Heart Vessels 2022; 37:347-358. [PMID: 34727208 PMCID: PMC10960607 DOI: 10.1007/s00380-021-01975-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common heart valve disease requiring intervention. Most research on CAVD has focused on inflammation, ossification, and cellular phenotype transformation. To gain a broader picture into the wide range of cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in this disease, we compared the total protein profiles between calcified and non-calcified areas from 5 human valves resected during surgery. The 1413 positively identified proteins were filtered down to 248 proteins present in both calcified and non-calcified segments of at least 3 of the 5 valves, which were then analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Concurrently, the top 40 differentially abundant proteins were grouped according to their biological functions and shown in interactive networks. Finally, the abundance of selected osteogenic proteins (osteopontin, osteonectin, osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin, and RANK) was quantified using ELISA and/or immunohistochemistry. The top pathways identified were complement system, acute phase response signaling, metabolism, LXR/RXR and FXR/RXR activation, actin cytoskeleton, mineral binding, nucleic acid interaction, structural extracellular matrix (ECM), and angiogenesis. There was a greater abundance of osteopontin, osteonectin, osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin, and RANK in the calcified regions than the non-calcified ones. The osteogenic proteins also formed key connections between the biological signaling pathways in the network model. In conclusion, this proteomic analysis demonstrated the involvement of multiple signaling pathways in CAVD. The interconnectedness of these pathways provides new insights for the treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard I Han
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, MS-142, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Division of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Medicine, Departments of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chenyue W Hu
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, MS-142, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - David S Loose
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Li Li
- Clinical and Translational Proteomics Service Center, University of Texas Health Sciences at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jennifer P Connell
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, MS-142, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Michael J Reardon
- Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gerald M Lawrie
- Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amina A Qutub
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Joel D Morrisett
- Division of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Medicine, Departments of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - K Jane Grande-Allen
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, MS-142, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Zhang P, The E, Luo Z, Zhai Y, Yao Q, Ao L, Fullerton DA, Xu D, Meng X. Pro-inflammatory mediators released by activated monocytes promote aortic valve fibrocalcific activity. Mol Med 2022; 28:5. [PMID: 35062861 PMCID: PMC8780233 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00433-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most prevalent heart valve disorder in the elderly. Valvular fibrocalcification is a characteristic pathological change. In diseased valves, monocyte accumulation is evident, and aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs) display greater fibrogenic and osteogenic activities. However, the impact of activated monocytes on valular fibrocalcification remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that pro-inflammatory mediators from activated monocytes elevate AVIC fibrogenic and osteogenic activities.
Methods and results Picro-sirius red staining and Alizarin red staining revealed collagen and calcium depositions in cultured human AVICs exposed to conditioned media derived from Pam3CSK4-stimulated monocytes (Pam3 CM). Pam3 CM up-regulated alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an osteogenic biomarker, and extracellular matrix proteins collagen I and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). ELISA analysis identified high levels of RANTES and TNF-α in Pam3 CM. Neutralizing RANTES in the Pam3 CM reduced its effect on collagen I and MMP-2 production in AVICs while neutralizing TNF-α attenuated the effect on AVIC ALP production. In addition, Pam3 CM induced NF-κB and JNK activation. While JNK mediated the effect of Pam3 CM on collagen I and MMP-2 production, NF-κB was critical for the effect of Pam3 CM on ALP production in AVICs. Conclusions This study demonstrates that activated monocytes elevate the fibrogenic and osteogenic activities in human AVICs through a paracrine mechanism. TNF-α and RANTES mediate the pro-fibrogenic effect of activated monocytes on AVICs through activation of JNK, and TNF-α also activates NF-κB to elevate AVIC osteogenic activity. The results suggest that infiltrated monocytes elevate AVIC fibrocalcific activity to promote CAVD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peijian Zhang
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.,Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Erlinda The
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Zichao Luo
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.,Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yufeng Zhai
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Qingzhou Yao
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Lihua Ao
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - David A Fullerton
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Dingli Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Xianzhong Meng
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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Metformin alleviates the calcification of aortic valve interstitial cells through activating the PI3K/AKT pathway in an AMPK dependent way. Mol Med 2021; 27:156. [PMID: 34895136 PMCID: PMC8666063 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-021-00416-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most prevalent valvular disease worldwide. However, no effective treatment could delay or prevent the progression of the disease due to the poor understanding of its pathological mechanism. Many studies showed that metformin exerted beneficial effects on multiple cardiovascular diseases by mediating multiple proteins such as AMPK, NF-κB, and AKT. This study aims to verify whether metformin can inhibit aortic calcification through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. METHODS We first analyzed four microarray datasets to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and signaling pathways related to CAVD. Then aortic valve samples were used to verify selected genes and pathways through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blot (WB) assays. Aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs) were isolated from non-calcific aortic valves and then cultured with phosphate medium (PM) with or without metformin to verify whether metformin can inhibit the osteogenic differentiation and calcification of AVICs. Finally, we used inhibitors and siRNA targeting AMPK, NF-κB, and AKT to study the mechanism of metformin. RESULTS We screened 227 DEGs; NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways were implicated in the pathological mechanism of CAVD. IHC and WB experiments showed decreased AMPK and AKT and increased Bax in calcific aortic valves. PM treatment significantly reduced AMPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, promoted Bax/Bcl2 ratio, and induced AVICs calcification. Metformin treatment ameliorated AVICs calcification and apoptosis by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. AMPK activation and NF-κB inhibition could inhibit AVICs calcification induced by PM treatment; however, AMPK and AKT inhibition reversed the protective effect of metformin. CONCLUSIONS This study, for the first time, demonstrates that metformin can inhibit AVICs in vitro calcification by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway; this suggests that metformin may provide a potential target for the treatment of CAVD. And the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway emerges as an important regulatory axis in the pathological mechanism of CAVD.
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Tandon I, Ozkizilcik A, Ravishankar P, Balachandran K. Aortic valve cell microenvironment: Considerations for developing a valve-on-chip. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2021; 2:041303. [PMID: 38504720 PMCID: PMC10903420 DOI: 10.1063/5.0063608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Cardiac valves are sophisticated, dynamic structures residing in a complex mechanical and hemodynamic environment. Cardiac valve disease is an active and progressive disease resulting in severe socioeconomic burden, especially in the elderly. Valve disease also leads to a 50% increase in the possibility of associated cardiovascular events. Yet, valve replacement remains the standard of treatment with early detection, mitigation, and alternate therapeutic strategies still lacking. Effective study models are required to further elucidate disease mechanisms and diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Organ-on-chip models offer a unique and powerful environment that incorporates the ease and reproducibility of in vitro systems along with the complexity and physiological recapitulation of the in vivo system. The key to developing effective valve-on-chip models is maintaining the cell and tissue-level microenvironment relevant to the study application. This review outlines the various components and factors that comprise and/or affect the cell microenvironment that ought to be considered while constructing a valve-on-chip model. This review also dives into the advancements made toward constructing valve-on-chip models with a specific focus on the aortic valve, that is, in vitro studies incorporating three-dimensional co-culture models that incorporate relevant extracellular matrices and mechanical and hemodynamic cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishita Tandon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
| | - Asya Ozkizilcik
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
| | - Prashanth Ravishankar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
| | - Kartik Balachandran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
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Nordquist EM, Dutta P, Kodigepalli KM, Mattern C, McDermott MR, Trask AJ, LaHaye S, Lindner V, Lincoln J. Tgfβ1-Cthrc1 Signaling Plays an Important Role in the Short-Term Reparative Response to Heart Valve Endothelial Injury. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:2923-2942. [PMID: 34645278 PMCID: PMC8612994 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.316450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Aortic valve disease is a common worldwide health burden with limited treatment options. Studies have shown that the valve endothelium is critical for structure-function relationships, and disease is associated with its dysfunction, damage, or injury. Therefore, therapeutic targets to maintain a healthy endothelium or repair damaged endothelial cells could hold promise. In this current study, we utilize a surgical mouse model of heart valve endothelial cell injury to study the short-term response at molecular and cellular levels. The goal is to determine if the native heart valve exhibits a reparative response to injury and identify the mechanisms underlying this process. Approach and Results: Mild aortic valve endothelial injury and abrogated function was evoked by inserting a guidewire down the carotid artery of young (3 months) and aging (16-18 months) wild-type mice. Short-term cellular responses were examined at 6 hours, 48 hours, and 4 weeks following injury, whereas molecular profiles were determined after 48 hours by RNA-sequencing. Within 48 hours following endothelial injury, young wild-type mice restore endothelial barrier function in association with increased cell proliferation, and upregulation of transforming growth factor beta 1 (Tgfβ1) and the glycoprotein, collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (Cthrc1). Interestingly, this beneficial response to injury was not observed in aging mice with known underlying endothelial dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS Data from this study suggests that the healthy valve has the capacity to respond to mild endothelial injury, which in short term has beneficial effects on restoring endothelial barrier function through acute activation of the Tgfβ1-Cthrc1 signaling axis and cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M. Nordquist
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- The Herma Heart Institute, Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Punashi Dutta
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- The Herma Heart Institute, Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Karthik M. Kodigepalli
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- The Herma Heart Institute, Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Carol Mattern
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- The Herma Heart Institute, Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Michael R. McDermott
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- The Heart Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Aaron J. Trask
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- The Heart Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Stephanie LaHaye
- The Institute for Genomic Medicine, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Volkhard Lindner
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, Maine, USA
| | - Joy Lincoln
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- The Herma Heart Institute, Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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Deb N, Lacerda CMR. Valvular Endothelial Cell Response to the Mechanical Environment-A Review. Cell Biochem Biophys 2021; 79:695-709. [PMID: 34661855 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-021-01039-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Heart valve leaflets are complex structures containing valve endothelial cells, interstitial cells, and extracellular matrix. Heart valve endothelial cells sense mechanical stimuli, and communicate amongst themselves and the surrounding cells and extracellular matrix to maintain tissue homeostasis. In the presence of abnormal mechanical stimuli, endothelial cell communication is triggered in defense and such processes may eventually lead to cardiac disease progression. This review focuses on the role of mechanical stimuli on heart valve endothelial surfaces-from heart valve development and maintenance of tissue integrity to disease progression with related signal pathways involved in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandini Deb
- Jasper Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, 75799, TX, US
| | - Carla M R Lacerda
- Jasper Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, 75799, TX, US.
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40
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Ulloa LS, Perissinotto F, Rago I, Goldoni A, Santoro R, Pesce M, Casalis L, Scaini D. Carbon Nanotubes Substrates Alleviate Pro-Calcific Evolution in Porcine Valve Interstitial Cells. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11102724. [PMID: 34685165 PMCID: PMC8538037 DOI: 10.3390/nano11102724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The quest for surfaces able to interface cells and modulate their functionality has raised, in recent years, the development of biomaterials endowed with nanocues capable of mimicking the natural extracellular matrix (ECM), especially for tissue regeneration purposes. In this context, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are optimal candidates, showing dimensions and a morphology comparable to fibril ECM constituents. Moreover, when immobilized onto surfaces, they demonstrated outstanding cytocompatibility and ease of chemical modification with ad hoc functionalities. In this study, we interface porcine aortic valve interstitial cells (pVICs) to multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) carpets, investigating the impact of surface nano-morphology on cell properties. The results obtained indicate that CNTs significantly affect cell behavior in terms of cell morphology, cytoskeleton organization, and mechanical properties. We discovered that CNT carpets appear to maintain interfaced pVICs in a sort of “quiescent state”, hampering cell activation into a myofibroblasts-like phenotype morphology, a cellular evolution prodromal to Calcific Aortic Valve Disease (CAVD) and characterized by valve interstitial tissue stiffening. We found that this phenomenon is linked to CNTs’ ability to alter cell tensional homeostasis, interacting with cell plasma membranes, stabilizing focal adhesions and enabling a better strain distribution within cells. Our discovery contributes to shedding new light on the ECM contribution in modulating cell behavior and will open the door to new criteria for designing nanostructured scaffolds to drive cell functionality for tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Severino Ulloa
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (L.S.U.); (F.P.); (I.R.)
| | - Fabio Perissinotto
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (L.S.U.); (F.P.); (I.R.)
| | - Ilaria Rago
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (L.S.U.); (F.P.); (I.R.)
| | - Andrea Goldoni
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Rosaria Santoro
- Unità di Ingegneria Tissutale Cardiovascolare, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, 20138 Milan, Italy; (R.S.); (M.P.)
| | - Maurizio Pesce
- Unità di Ingegneria Tissutale Cardiovascolare, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, 20138 Milan, Italy; (R.S.); (M.P.)
| | - Loredana Casalis
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy;
- Correspondence: (L.C.); (D.S.)
| | - Denis Scaini
- Area di Neuroscienze, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
- Correspondence: (L.C.); (D.S.)
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Cardiovascular Diseases and Pharmacomicrobiomics: A Perspective on Possible Treatment Relevance. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9101338. [PMID: 34680455 PMCID: PMC8533057 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the most common cause of mortality in rich countries, include a wide variety of pathologies of the heart muscle and vascular system that compromise the proper functioning of the heart. Most of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are well-known: lipid disorders, high serum LDL cholesterol, hypertension, smoking, obesity, diabetes, male sex and physical inactivity. Currently, much evidence shows that: (i) the human microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining the organism’s healthy status; and (ii) a link exists between microbiota and cardiovascular function that, if dysregulated, could potentially correlate with CVDs. This scenario led the scientific community to carefully analyze the role of the microbiota in response to drugs, considering this the right path to improve the effectiveness of disease treatment. In this review, we examine heart diseases and highlight how the microbiota actually plays a preponderant role in their development. Finally, we investigate pharmacomicrobiomics—a new interesting field—and the microbiota’s role in modulating the response to drugs, to improve their effectiveness by making their action targeted, focusing particular attention on cardiovascular diseases and on innovative potential treatments.
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Manduteanu I, Simionescu D, Simionescu A, Simionescu M. Aortic valve disease in diabetes: Molecular mechanisms and novel therapies. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:9483-9495. [PMID: 34561944 PMCID: PMC8505854 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Valve disease and particularly calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) and diabetes (DM) are progressive diseases constituting a global health burden for all aging societies (Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. 2014;56(6):565: Circulation Research. 2021;128(9):1344). Compared to non‐diabetic individuals (The Lancet. 2008;371(9626):1800: The American Journal of Cardiology. 1983;51(3):403: Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2017;69(12):1523), the diabetic patients have a significantly greater propensity for cardiovascular disorders and faster degeneration of implanted bioprosthetic aortic valves. Previously, using an original experimental model, the diabetic‐hyperlipemic hamsters, we have shown that the earliest alterations induced by these conditions occur at the level of the aortic valves and, with time these changes lead to calcifications and CAVD. However, there are no pharmacological treatments available to reverse or retard the progression of aortic valve disease in diabetes, despite the significant advances in the field. Therefore, it is critical to uncover the mechanisms of valve disease progression, find biomarkers for diagnosis and new targets for therapies. This review aims at presenting an update on the basic research in CAVD in the context of diabetes. We provide an insight into the accumulated data including our results on diabetes‐induced progressive cell and molecular alterations in the aortic valve, new potential biomarkers to assess the evolution and therapy of the disease, advancement in targeted nanotherapies, tissue engineering and the potential use of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in CAVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ileana Manduteanu
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology "Nicolae Simionescu" of the Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dan Simionescu
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Agneta Simionescu
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Maya Simionescu
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology "Nicolae Simionescu" of the Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania
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43
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Chen J, Ding J, Wu Y, Zhang S, Zheng N, Yang J, Xu J. Chromium Oxide Nanoparticle Impaired Osteogenesis and Cellular Response to Mechanical Stimulus. Int J Nanomedicine 2021; 16:6157-6170. [PMID: 34511912 PMCID: PMC8423495 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s317430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Release of metallic wear particles from hip replacement implants is closely associated with aseptic loosening that affects the functionality and survivorship of the prostheses. Chromium oxide nanoparticles (CrNPs) are the dominant form of the wear particles found in the periprosthetic tissues. Whether CrNPs play a role in the clinically observed particle-induced osteolysis, tissue inflammatory reactions and functional activities of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) remain unknown. Methods A tibia-defect rat model, cytotoxicity assays and flow cytometry were applied to study the effect of CrNPs on MSCs survival and macrophage inflammatory response. Also, oscillatory fluid flow stimulation was used to analyse the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs while treated by CrNPs. In addition, the influence of CrNPs on MSC biomechanical properties was determined via atomic force microscope (AFM) and fluorescence microscopy. Results It was found that implantation of CrNPs significantly decreased bone formation in vivo. CrNPs had no obvious effects on inflammatory cytokines release of U937 macrophages. Additionally, CrNPs did not interfere with MSCs osteogenic differentiation under static culture. However, the upregulated osteogenic differentiation of MSCs due to fluid flow stimulation was reduced by CrNPs in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, osteogenic gene expression of OPN, Cox2 and Rnux2 after mechanical stimulation was also decreased by CrNPs treatments. Furthermore, cell elasticity and adhesion force of MSCs were affected by CrNPs over 3 days of exposure. We further verified that these effects of CrNPs could be associated with its interruption on cell mechanical properties. Conclusion The results demonstrated that CrNPs impaired cellular response to mechanical stimulus and osteogenesis without noticeable effects on the survival of the human MSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Chen
- Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Ding
- Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanhao Wu
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Shuqiong Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China
| | - Naisheng Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China
| | - Junyao Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China
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44
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Dittfeld C, Winkelkotte M, Behrens S, Schmieder F, Jannasch A, Matschke K, Sonntag F, Tugtekin SM. Establishment of a resazurin-based aortic valve tissue viability assay for dynamic culture in a microphysiological system. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2021; 79:167-178. [PMID: 34487029 DOI: 10.3233/ch-219112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Tissue pathogenesis of aortic valve (AV) stenosis is research focus in cardiac surgery. Model limitations of conventional 2D culture of human or porcine valvular interstitial/endothelial cells (VIC/VECs) isolated from aortic valve tissues but also limited ability of (small) animal models to reflect human (patho)physiological situation in AV position raise the need to establish an in vitro setup using AV tissues. Resulting aim is to approximate (patho)physiological conditions in a dynamic pulsatile Microphysiological System (MPS) to culture human and porcine AV tissue with preservation of tissue viability but also defined ECM composition. MATERIALS/METHODS A tissue incubation chamber (TIC) was designed to implement human or porcine tissues (3×5 mm2) in a dynamic pulsatile culture in conventional cell culture ambience in a MPS. Cell viability assays based on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-release or resazurin-conversion were tested for applicability in the system and applied for a culture period of 14 days with interval evaluation of tissue viability on every other day. Resazurin-assay setup was compared in static vs. dynamic culture using varying substance saturation settings (50-300μM), incubation times and tissue masses and was consequently adapted. RESULTS Sterile dynamic culture of human and porcine AV tissue segments was established at a pulsatile flow rate range of 0.9-13.4μl/s. Implementation of tissues was realized by stitching the material in a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-ring and insertion in the TIC-MPS-system. Culture volume of 2 ml caused LDH dilution not detectable in standard membrane integrity assay setup. Therefore, detection of resazurin-conversion of viable tissue was investigated. Optimal incubation time for viability conversion was determined at two hours at a saturated concentration of 300μM resazurin. Measurement in static conditions was shown to offer comparable results as dynamic condition but allowing optimal handling and TIC sterilization protocols for long term culture. Preliminary results revealed favourable porcine AV tissue viability over a 14 day period confirmed via resazurin-assay comparing statically cultured tissue counterparts. CONCLUSIONS Human and porcine AV tissue can be dynamically cultured in a TIC-MPS with monitoring of tissue viability using an adapted resazurin-assay setup. Preliminary results reveal advantageous viability of porcine AV tissues after dynamic TIC-MPS culture compared to static control.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Dittfeld
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Heart Centre Dresden, Dresden,Germany
| | - M Winkelkotte
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Heart Centre Dresden, Dresden,Germany
| | - S Behrens
- Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS, Dresden, Germany
| | - F Schmieder
- Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS, Dresden, Germany
| | - A Jannasch
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Heart Centre Dresden, Dresden,Germany
| | - K Matschke
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Heart Centre Dresden, Dresden,Germany
| | - F Sonntag
- Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS, Dresden, Germany
| | - S M Tugtekin
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Heart Centre Dresden, Dresden,Germany
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Radvar E, Griffanti G, Tsolaki E, Bertazzo S, Nazhat SN, Addison O, Mata A, Shanahan CM, Elsharkawy S. Engineered In vitro Models for Pathological Calcification: Routes Toward Mechanistic Understanding. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202100042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elham Radvar
- Centre for Oral, Clinical and Translational Sciences Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences King's College London London SE1 1UL UK
| | - Gabriele Griffanti
- Department of Mining and Materials Engineering Faculty of Engineering McGill University Montreal QC H3A 0C5 Canada
| | - Elena Tsolaki
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering University College London London WC1E 6BT UK
| | - Sergio Bertazzo
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering University College London London WC1E 6BT UK
| | - Showan N. Nazhat
- Department of Mining and Materials Engineering Faculty of Engineering McGill University Montreal QC H3A 0C5 Canada
| | - Owen Addison
- Centre for Oral, Clinical and Translational Sciences Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences King's College London London SE1 1UL UK
| | - Alvaro Mata
- School of Pharmacy University of Nottingham Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
| | - Catherine M. Shanahan
- BHF Centre of Research Excellence Cardiovascular Division James Black Centre King's College London London SE1 1UL UK
| | - Sherif Elsharkawy
- Centre for Oral, Clinical and Translational Sciences Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences King's College London London SE1 1UL UK
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Girgin EM, Colak A, Simsek EC, Toprak B, Yalcin H, Ozdogan O, Duman C. The relationship between serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A level in patients with aortic valve stenosis: a case-control study. Acta Cardiol 2021; 76:598-604. [PMID: 32312177 DOI: 10.1080/00015385.2020.1751956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Calcific aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common form of calcific aortic valve disease. Many matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) have been shown to be expressed in aortic sclerosis and contribute to valve fibrosis and calcification. We investigated the relationship between Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A (PAPP-A) and AS. METHODS Sixty-one patients who referred to our cardiology clinic having AS diagnosed with transthoracic echocardiography and thirty control subjects were included in this study. The patient group was divided into two groups as mild and moderate-severe AS in terms of echocardiography results. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and PAPP-A were measured. RESULTS There was statistically significant difference between the patient and control group for PAPP-A (p = 0.009). In addition, the difference between MPV, IGF-1 and PAPP-A levels of control and AS groups was found. We found that serum PAPP-A level was an independent predictor of AS (B = 0.107, p = 0.01) by logistic regression analysis. In linear regression analysis, a significant correlation was found for AS severity with MPV, IGF-1 and PAPP-A levels, respectively (p = 0.025, p = 0.004, p = 0.035). It was revealed that PAPP-A and IGF-1 were negatively correlated (r = -0.327, p = 0.002). Correlation of serum PAPP-A level with echocardiographic parameters was no observed. CONCLUSION The level of PAPP-A may be a marker used in diagnosis rather than a marker used to determine the severity of AS. Studies with larger patient populations may further explain the role of PAPP-A in the diagnosis and treatment of AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Merve Girgin
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ayfer Colak
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ersin Cagri Simsek
- Department of Clinical Cardiology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Burak Toprak
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sivas Training and Research Hospital, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Hülya Yalcin
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Oner Ozdogan
- Department of Clinical Cardiology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Can Duman
- Medical Biochemistry, İzmir Democracy University, Izmir, Turkey
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Conte M, Petraglia L, Campana P, Gerundo G, Caruso A, Grimaldi MG, Russo V, Attena E, Leosco D, Parisi V. The role of inflammation and metabolic risk factors in the pathogenesis of calcific aortic valve stenosis. Aging Clin Exp Res 2021; 33:1765-1770. [PMID: 32978752 PMCID: PMC8249252 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-020-01681-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Given the epidemiologic increase of aged population in the world, aortic stenosis (AS) represents now the most common valvular heart disease in industrialized countries. It is a very challenging disease, representing an important cause of morbidity, hospitalization and death in the elderly population. It is widely recognized that AS is the result of a very complex active process, driven by inflammation and involving multifactorial pathological mechanisms promoting valvular calcification and valvular bone deposition. Several evidence suggest that epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), the visceral fat depot of the heart, represents a direct source of cytokines and could mediate the deleterious effects of systemic inflammation on the myocardium. Importantly, obesity and metabolic disorders are associated with chronic systemic inflammation leading to a significant increase of EAT amount and to a pro-inflammatory phenotypic shift of this fat depot. It has been hypothesized that the EAT inflammatory state can influence the structure and function of the heart, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of several cardiac diseases, including calcific AS. The current review will discuss the recently discovered mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of AS, with particular attention to the role of inflammation, metabolic risk factors and pro-fibrotic and pro-osteogenic signal pathways promoting the onset and progression of the disease. Moreover, it will be explored the potential role of EAT in the AS pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maddalena Conte
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 8031, Naples, Italy
- Casa di Cura San Michele, Maddaloni, Italy
| | - Laura Petraglia
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 8031, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Campana
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 8031, Naples, Italy
| | - Gerardo Gerundo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 8031, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Dario Leosco
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 8031, Naples, Italy.
- Casa di Cura San Michele, Maddaloni, Italy.
| | - Valentina Parisi
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 8031, Naples, Italy
- Casa di Cura San Michele, Maddaloni, Italy
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Dutta P, Kodigepalli KM, LaHaye S, Thompson JW, Rains S, Nagel C, Thatcher K, Hinton RB, Lincoln J. KPT-330 Prevents Aortic Valve Calcification via a Novel C/EBPβ Signaling Pathway. Circ Res 2021; 128:1300-1316. [PMID: 33601919 PMCID: PMC8085092 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.120.318503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Punashi Dutta
- Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Pediatric Cardiology, The Herma Heart Institute, Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Karthik M. Kodigepalli
- Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Pediatric Cardiology, The Herma Heart Institute, Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Stephanie LaHaye
- The Institute for Genomic Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - J. Will Thompson
- Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sarah Rains
- Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Proteomics and Metabolomics Shared Resource, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Casey Nagel
- Ocean Ridge Biosciences, Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Thatcher
- Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Pediatric Cardiology, The Herma Heart Institute, Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Robert B. Hinton
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Joy Lincoln
- Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Pediatric Cardiology, The Herma Heart Institute, Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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49
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Weber A, Pfaff M, Schöttler F, Schmidt V, Lichtenberg A, Akhyari P. Reproducible In Vitro Tissue Culture Model to Study Basic Mechanisms of Calcific Aortic Valve Disease: Comparative Analysis to Valvular Interstitials Cells. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9050474. [PMID: 33925890 PMCID: PMC8146785 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The hallmarks of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), an active and regulated process involving the creation of calcium nodules, lipoprotein accumulation, and chronic inflammation, are the significant changes that occur in the composition, organization, and mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the aortic valve (AV). Most research regarding CAVD is based on experiments using two-dimensional (2D) cell culture or artificially created three-dimensional (3D) environments of valvular interstitial cells (VICs). Because the valvular ECM has a powerful influence in regulating pathological events, we developed an in vitro AV tissue culture model, which is more closely able to mimic natural conditions to study cellular responses underlying CAVD. AV leaflets, isolated from the hearts of 6-8-month-old sheep, were fixed with needles on silicon rubber rings to achieve passive tension and treated in vitro under pro-degenerative and pro-calcifying conditions. The degeneration of AV leaflets progressed over time, commencing with the first visible calcified domains after 14 d and winding up with the distinct formation of calcium nodules, heightened stiffness, and clear disruption of the ECM after 56 d. Both the expression of pro-degenerative genes and the myofibroblastic differentiation of VICs were altered in AV leaflets compared to that in VIC cultures. In this study, we have established an easily applicable, reproducible, and cost-effective in vitro AV tissue culture model to study pathological mechanisms underlying CAVD. The valvular ECM and realistic VIC-VEC interactions mimic natural conditions more closely than VIC cultures or 3D environments. The application of various culture conditions enables the examination of different pathological mechanisms underlying CAVD and could lead to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that lead to VIC degeneration and AS. Our model provides a valuable tool to study the complex pathobiology of CAVD and can be used to identify potential therapeutic targets for slowing disease progression.
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50
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Cuevas RA, Chu CC, Moorhead WJ, Wong R, Sultan I, St Hilaire C. Isolation of Human Primary Valve Cells for In vitro Disease Modeling. J Vis Exp 2021. [PMID: 33938898 DOI: 10.3791/62439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is present in nearly a third of the elderly population. Thickening, stiffening, and calcification of the aortic valve causes aortic stenosis and contributes to heart failure and stroke. Disease pathogenesis is multifactorial, and stresses such as inflammation, extracellular matrix remodeling, turbulent flow, and mechanical stress and strain contribute to the osteogenic differentiation of valve endothelial and valve interstitial cells. However, the precise initiating factors that drive the osteogenic transition of a healthy cell into a calcifying cell are not fully defined. Further, the only current therapy for CAVD-induced aortic stenosis is aortic valve replacement, whereby the native valve is removed (surgical aortic valve replacement, SAVR) or a fully collapsible replacement valve is inserted via a catheter (transcatheter aortic valve replacement, TAVR). These surgical procedures come at a high cost and with serious risks; thus, identifying novel therapeutic targets for drug discovery is imperative. To that end, the present study develops a workflow where surgically removed tissues from patients and donor cadaver tissues are used to create patient-specific primary lines of valvular cells for in vitro disease modeling. This protocol introduces the utilization of a cold storage solution, commonly utilized in organ transplant, to reduce the damage caused by the often-lengthy procurement time between tissue excision and laboratory processing with the benefit of greatly stabilizing cells of the excised tissue. The results of the present study demonstrate that isolated valve cells retain their proliferative capacity and endothelial and interstitial phenotypes in culture upwards of several days after valve removal from the donor. Using these materials allows for the collection of control and CAVD cells, from which both control and disease cell lines are established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolando A Cuevas
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, and the Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh
| | - Claire C Chu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, and the Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh
| | - William J Moorhead
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, and the Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh
| | - Ryan Wong
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, and the Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh
| | - Ibrahim Sultan
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh and Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
| | - Cynthia St Hilaire
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, and the Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh;
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