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Review
. 2018 Mar 8;20(4):21.
doi: 10.1007/s11886-018-0968-9.

Calcific Aortic Valve Disease: a Developmental Biology Perspective

Punashi Dutta  1   2 , Joy Lincoln  3   4   5
Affiliations
Review

Calcific Aortic Valve Disease: a Developmental Biology Perspective

Punashi Dutta et al. Curr Cardiol Rep. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review aims to highlight the past and more current literature related to the multifaceted pathogenic programs that contribute to calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) with a focus on the contribution of developmental programs.

Recent findings: Calcification of the aortic valve is an active process characterized by calcific nodule formation on the aortic surface leading to a less supple and more stiffened cusp, thereby limiting movement and causing clinical stenosis. The mechanisms underlying these pathogenic changes are largely unknown, but emerging studies have suggested that signaling pathways common to valvulogenesis and bone development play significant roles and include Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), Wnt, Notch, and Sox9. This comprehensive review of the literature highlights the complex nature of CAVD but concurrently identifies key regulators that can be targeted in the development of mechanistic-based therapies beyond surgical intervention to improve patient outcome.

Keywords: Calcification; Cell signaling; Extracellular matrix; Heart valve; Valvulogenesis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

Punashi Dutta and Joy Lincoln have no conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Overview of conserved mature heart valve structure. Pentachrome staining to show extracellular matrix organization within the aortic valve structure of mice (a) and sheep (b). Note more defined stratification in the larger animal model. F = Fibrosa S = Spongiosa V = Ventricularis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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