Immune Netw.  2016 Feb;16(1):26-32. 10.4110/in.2016.16.1.26.

Involvement of Immune Cell Network in Aortic Valve Stenosis: Communication between Valvular Interstitial Cells and Immune Cells

• Lee SH
• Choi JH

• KMID: 2154808
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4110/in.2016.16.1.26

Abstract

Aortic valve stenosis is a heart disease prevalent in the elderly characterized by valvular calcification, fibrosis, and inflammation, but its exact pathogenesis remains unclear. Previously, aortic valve stenosis was thought to be caused by chronic passive and degenerative changes associated with aging. However, recent studies have demonstrated that atherosclerotic processes and inflammation can induce valvular calcification and bone deposition, leading to valvular stenosis. In particular, the most abundant cell type in cardiac valves, valvular interstitial cells, can differentiate into myofibroblasts and osteoblast-like cells, leading to valvular calcification and stenosis. Differentiation of valvular interstitial cells can be trigged by inflammatory stimuli from several immune cell types, including macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells, B cells, and mast cells. This review indicates that crosstalk between immune cells and valvular interstitial cells plays an important role in the development of aortic valve stenosis.

Keyword

Valve; Stenosis; VIC; VEC; Immune cells

MeSH Terms

Aged
Aging
Aortic Valve Stenosis*
Aortic Valve*
B-Lymphocytes
Constriction, Pathologic
Dendritic Cells
Fibrosis
Heart Diseases
Heart Valves
Humans
Inflammation
Macrophages
Mast Cells
Myofibroblasts
T-Lymphocytes

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Presence of dendritic cells (DCs) in mouse cardiac valve. Mitral valve from a CD11c-EYFP transgenic mouse was whole-mount immunostained with MHCII antibody. The CD11c+ MHCII+ DCs were then visualized (green, CD11c; red, MHCII). CD11c+ MHCII+ DCs are also present in other cardiac valves (aortic, tricuspid, and pulmonary; data not shown). Scale bars, 20 µm.

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