Cardiac neural crest orchestrates remodeling and functional maturation of mouse semilunar valves.

ABSTRACT: Congenital anomalies of the aortic valve are common and are associated with progressive valvular insufficiency and/or stenosis. In addition, aneurysm, coarctation, and dissection of the ascending aorta and aortic arch are often associated conditions that complicate patient management and increase morbidity and mortality. These associated aortopathies are commonly attributed to turbulent hemodynamic flow through the malformed valve leading to focal defects in the vessel wall. However, numerous surgical and pathological studies have identified widespread cystic medial necrosis and smooth muscle apoptosis throughout the aortic arch in affected patients. Here, we provide experimental evidence for an alternative model to explain the association of aortic vessel and valvular disease. Using mice

SUBMITTER: Jain R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3007154 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature