Macrophage Transitions in Heart Valve Development and Myxomatous Valve Disease.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Hematopoietic-derived cells have been reported in heart valves but remain poorly characterized. Interestingly, recent studies reveal infiltration of leukocytes and increased macrophages in human myxomatous mitral valves. Nevertheless, timing and contribution of macrophages in normal valves and myxomatous valve disease are still unknown. The objective is to characterize leukocytes during postnatal heart valve maturation and identify macrophage subsets in myxomatous valve disease.

Approach and results

Leukocytes are detected in heart valves after birth, and their numbers increase during postnatal valve development. Flow cytometry and immunostaining analysis indicate that almost all valve leukocytes are myeloid cells, consisting of at least 2 differentially localized

SUBMITTER: Hulin A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5823761 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature