Project description:Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a frequent congenital heart defect with a high heritability. Identification of genes associated with the disease and the molecular mechanisms required genetic studies including genome-wide association studies (GWAS) meta-analysis. To prioritize genes identified through such meta-analysis several additional data are required including transcriptomic of aortic valve at early fetal and adult stages. RNA-sequencing was carried out on human fœtal aortic valves at 9, 13, and 22 post conceptional week (PCW) and adult controls. These data were used to compare gene expression profile of several genes identified in a GWAS meta-analysis. Comparing the expression of these genes in valve RNA-sequencing dataset we identified several genes with higher expression in fœtal tissues suggesting their involvement in aortic valve development. In conclusion, we performed integrative analyses taking advantage of human aortic valve transcriptome data to prioritize candidate causal gene of BAV.
Project description:Gene expression profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells with hTERT/E6/E7 transfected MSCs. hTERT may change gene expression in MSCs. Goal was to determine the gene expressions of immortalized MSCs.
Project description:Calcified aortic valve leaflets (CAVs) were explanted from patients with severe aortic valve stenosis undergoing aortic valve replacement at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, affiliated to Tongji Medical College. Control non-calcified aortic valves with normal echocardiographic analyses were obtained during heart transplant procedures. RNA was extracted from valve leaflets and gene expression evaluated using the Arraystar Human mRNA Array. This study aimed to perform the expression analysis of mRNA on human aortic valves.
Project description:Calcific Aortic Valve Disease (CAVD) is a common heart valve condition, often characterized by severe narrowing of the aortic valve. It lacks pharmaceutical treatments and typically requires aortic valve replacement surgery, imposing a significant burden on healthcare resources.This study reports the expression profile of circRNAs in the aortic valve tissues of CAVD patients and a normal control group (non-CAVD). We collected aortic valve tissue samples from three CAVD patients who underwent aortic valve replacement surgery due to severe aortic valve stenosis, as well as aortic valve samples from non-CAVD patients who either received heart transplant surgery (recipient heart) or had their aortic valve removed due to aortic dissection. Overall, our research reveals the significant role of circRNAs in the progression of CAVD. CircRNAs, a class of circular non-coding RNA molecules, are actively studied for their functions and regulatory mechanisms within cells. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying CAVD, particularly the potential involvement of circRNAs in this disease.
Project description:Aortic valve calcification is the most common form of valvular heart disease, but the mechanisms of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) are unknown. NOTCH1 mutations are associated with aortic valve malformations and adult-onset calcification in families with inherited disease. The Notch signaling pathway is critical for multiple cell differentiation processes, but its role in the development of CAVD is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular changes that occur with inhibition of Notch signaling in the aortic valve. Notch signaling pathway members are expressed in adult aortic valve cusps, and examination of diseased human aortic valves revealed decreased expression of NOTCH1 in areas of calcium deposition. To identify downstream mediators of Notch1, we examined gene expression changes that occur with chemical inhibition of Notch signaling in rat aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs). We found significant downregulation of Sox9 along with several cartilage-specific genes that were direct targets of the transcription factor, Sox9. Loss of expression Sox9 has been published to be associated with aortic valve calcification. Utilizing an in vitro porcine aortic valve calcification model system, inhibition of Notch activity resulted in accelerated calcification while stimulation of Notch signaling attenuated the calcific process. Finally, the addition of Sox9 was able to prevent the calcification of porcine AVICs that occurs with Notch inhibition. In conclusion, loss of Notch signaling contributes to aortic valve calcification via a Sox9-dependent mechanism. 3 samples of aortic valve interstitial cells treated with DAPT were compared with 3 samples of aortic valve interstitial cells treated with DMSO