Y chromosome-linked UTY modulates sex differences in valvular fibroblast methylation in response to nanoscale extracellular matrix cues.

ABSTRACT: Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is a progressive disease, wherein males more often 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 produce calcium nanoparticles, driving valve calcification in males. We hypothesized that the lysine demethylase UTY (ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat containing Y-linked) decreases methylation uniquely in male VICs responding to nanoscale extracellular matrix cues to promote an osteoblast-like cell phenotype. Here, we describe a hydrogel biomaterial cell culture platform to interrogate how nanoscale cues modulate sex-spe

SUBMITTER: Gorashi RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11900877 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature