Characterization of Proteome Features in Patients With Aortic Stenosis Using Data-Independent Acquisition-Based...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Proteomics
• Molecular Medicine

Background:

• Aortic stenosis (AS) is a growing valvular heart disease linked to aging.
• Understanding AS pathogenesis is crucial for advancing treatment and research.
• Both tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) and bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) can lead to AS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in aortic valve interstitial cells (VICs) from AS patients.
• To compare protein expression profiles between TAV-AS and BAV-AS.
• To uncover potential molecular mechanisms underlying AS.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative proteomic analysis of VICs from TAV-AS (n=10), BAV-AS (n=10), and normal TAV (n=11) valves.
• Utilized data-dependent and data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry.
• Validated key DEPs using immunohistochemical staining.

Main Results:

• Identified 39 DEPs, with 13 upregulated and 26 downregulated proteins.
• DEPs included cellular structural, kinase/transferase, mitochondrial, and calcification-related proteins.
• Found 5 common DEPs, 20 TAV-AS-specific, and 3 BAV-AS-specific proteins.

Conclusions:

• This proteomic study identified potential molecular targets in AS pathogenesis.
• Findings provide a foundation for further research into AS mechanisms.
• The identified DEPs may serve as targets for future therapeutic development.