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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Optimized Protocol for the Extraction of Proteins from the Human Mitral Valve
Published on: June 14, 2017
Cellular pathology of mitral valve prolapse
Marco Prunotto1, Philippe Primo Caimmi, Massimo Bongiovanni
1Pathology and Immunology Department, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. marco.prunotto@gmail.com
Background:
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is the most frequent cause of chronic, pure, and isolated mitral regurgitation, and is estimated to affect more than 144 million individuals worldwide. This short review focuses in particular on the structural and cellular aspects of MVP in humans. The key microscopic change in MVP appears to occur in the fibrosa, on which the structural integrity of the entire valve depends. Recent discoveries showed that proteoglycans may play an active role in both MVP initiation and/or progression together with valvular interstitial cells. A full understanding of the cellular basis of MVP goes beyond a mere mechanicistic description of the disease, involving the transformation of resting fibroblasts into activated myofibroblasts.
Conclusions:
Mitral valve could represent therefore an ideal environment to study early transformation phases of fibroblasts toward a protomyofibroblast phenotype.
Insights
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) involves key microscopic changes in the valve fibrosa. Proteoglycans and valvular interstitial cells contribute to MVP, transforming fibroblasts into myofibroblasts.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Cellular Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is the leading cause of chronic mitral regurgitation, affecting over 144 million people globally.
- This review examines the structural and cellular aspects of human MVP.
- The fibrosa layer is critical for valve integrity and shows key microscopic changes in MVP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structural and cellular mechanisms underlying mitral valve prolapse (MVP).
- To highlight the role of proteoglycans and valvular interstitial cells in MVP.
- To understand the cellular transformation from fibroblasts to myofibroblasts in MVP.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on mitral valve prolapse.
- Focus on microscopic and cellular changes in human MVP.
- Analysis of the role of proteoglycans and valvular interstitial cells.
Main Results:
- The fibrosa layer's structural integrity is compromised in MVP.
- Proteoglycans and valvular interstitial cells are implicated in MVP initiation and progression.
- MVP involves the transformation of resting fibroblasts into activated myofibroblasts.
Conclusions:
- The mitral valve serves as a model for studying early fibroblast transformation into protomyofibroblasts.
- Understanding cellular changes is crucial for a comprehensive view of MVP beyond mechanics.
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