Cadherin-11 coordinates cellular migration and extracellular matrix remodeling during aortic valve maturation.

ABSTRACT: Proper remodeling of the endocardial cushions into thin fibrous valves is essential for gestational progression and long-term function. This process involves dynamic interactions between resident cells and their local environment, much of which is not understood. In this study, we show that deficiency of the cell-cell adhesion protein cadherin-11 (Cad-11) results in significant embryonic and perinatal lethality primarily due to valve related cardiac dysfunction. While endocardial to mesenchymal transformation is not abrogated, mesenchymal cells do not homogeneously cellularize the cushions. These cushions remain thickened with disorganized ECM, resulting in pronounced aortic valve insufficiency. Mice that survive to adulthood maintain thickened and stenotic semilunar valves, but interestin

SUBMITTER: Bowen CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4841269 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature