Valve endothelial-interstitial interactions drive emergent complex calcific lesion formation in vitro.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is an actively regulated degenerative disease process. Clinical lesions exhibit marked 3D complexity not represented in current in vitro systems. We here present a unique mechanically stressed 3D culture system that recapitulates valve interstitial cell (VIC) induced matrix calcification through myofibroblastic activation and osteoblastic differentiation. We test the hypothesis that valve endothelial (VEC) - interstitial collaborative interactions modulate the risk and complexity of calcific pathogenesis within mechanically stressed and pro-inflammatory environments.

Approach and results

Porcine aortic valve endothelial and interstitial cells (VEC and VIC) were seeded in a mechanically constrained collagen hydrogels alone or in

SUBMITTER: Gee TW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9437633 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature