Transforming Growth Factor-beta1 Promotes Fibrosis but Attenuates Calcification of Aortic Valve Tissue in a Three-Dimensional Calcific Aortic Valve Disease Model

Abstract

Objective: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is characterised by proceeding fibrosis and calcification. Mechanistically, the pro-fibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 seems to play a key role in CAVD progression, as increased tissue levels of TGF-β1 are present in stenotic aortic valves. However, studies employing valvular interstitial cells (VICs) to examine effects of TGF-β1 on calcification provide contradictory results. Here, employing tissue culture of ovine aortic valve leaflets as a three-dimensional CAVD model we investigate the role of TGF-β1 regarding fibrosis and calcification.