Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 Promotes Fibrosis but Attenuates Calcification of Aortic Valve Tissue in a Three-Dimensional CAVD Model

Abstract

Objective: Calcific Aortic Valve Disease (CAVD) is characterised by proceeding fibrosis and calcification. Mechanistically, the profibrotic 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 stenosed aortic valves. However, studies using valvular interstitial cells (VICs) to examine effects of TGFβ1 on calcification provide contradictory results. Here, employing tissue culture of ovine aortic valve leaflets as a novel threedimensional CAVD model we investigate the role of TGF-β1 regarding fibrosis and calcification.