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Elastogenesis Correlates With Pigment Production in Murine Aortic Valve Leaflets
Joshua D Hutcheson1,2,3, Florian Schlotter3,4, Michael D Creager3
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States.
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
|July 9, 2021
Summary
Melanocytic valvular interstitial cells (VICs) in aortic valves are crucial for elastic fiber formation. These cells, found in both mice and humans, play a key role in maintaining aortic valve extracellular matrix homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Extracellular Matrix Research
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Aortic valve (AV) leaflets require specific extracellular matrix (ECM) microarchitecture for proper function.
- Valvular interstitial cells (VICs) maintain the AV ECM.
- Melanocytic VICs in mice were previously considered a nuisance due to pigment interference.
Purpose of the Study:
- Characterize the phenotype of melanocytic VICs.
- Investigate their role in ECM patterning.
- Determine their presence in human AV tissues.
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry on murine and human AV tissues.
- Analysis of VIC subpopulations and ECM protein distribution.
- Comparison of wild-type, non-pigmented, and hyperpigmented mouse models.
Main Results:
- Murine melanocytic VICs express neuronal or glial markers and correlate with elastin and glycosaminoglycan distribution.
- Similar VICs with ECM associations were identified in human AVs.
- Pigmentation levels in mice directly correlated with elastic fiber content and elastin gene expression.
Conclusions:
- Melanocytic VIC subpopulations are vital for elastogenesis in mouse AVs.
- These cells contribute to AV ECM homeostasis.
- The presence of similar VICs in human AVs suggests evolutionary conservation.
