FOXC1 and FOXC2 maintain mitral valve endothelial cell junctions, extracellular matrix, and lymphatic vessels to prevent myxomatous degeneration.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mitral valve (MV) disease including myxomatous degeneration is the most common form of valvular heart disease with an age-dependent frequency. Genetic evidence indicates mutations of the transcription factor FOXC1 are associated with MV defects, including mitral valve regurgitation. In this study, we sought to determine whether murine Foxc1 and its closely related factor, Foxc2, are required in valvular endothelial cells (VECs) for the maintenance of MV leaflets, including VEC junctions and the stratified trilaminar extracellular matrix (ECM).

Methods

Adult mice carrying tamoxifen-inducible, endothelial cell (EC)-specific, compound Foxc1;Foxc2 mutations (i.e., EC-Foxc-DKO mice) were used to study the function of Foxc1 and

SUBMITTER: Tan C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10491158 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature