Aortic valve cyclic stretch causes increased remodeling activity and enhanced serotonin receptor responsiveness.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Increased serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5HT]) receptor (5HTR) signaling has been associated with cardiac valvulopathy. Prior cell culture studies of 5HTR signaling in heart valve interstitial cells have provided mechanistic insights concerning only static conditions. We investigated the hypothesis that aortic valve biomechanics participate in the regulation of both 5HTR expression and interrelated extracellular matrix remodeling events.

Methods

The effects of cyclic stretch on aortic valve 5HTR, expression, signaling, and extracellular matrix remodeling were investigated using a tensile stretch bioreactor in studies which also compared the effects of adding 5HT and (or) the 5HT-transporter inhibitor, fluoxetine.

Results

Cyclic stretch alone increased both

SUBMITTER: Balachandran K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3184405 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature