Valvular & structural heart disease
Iron alters valvular interstitial cell function and is associated with calcification in aortic stenosis
Authors' conclusion
Iron, which may accumulate in the aortic valve by means of intraleaflet haemorrhages, can be taken up by VIC in a pro-inflammatory environment and actively contribute to VIC proliferation, ECM remodelling and calcification.
Study context
- Population
- Human aortic valves with AS; valvular interstitial cells (VIC)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Valvular iron accumulation (Perls' staining) increased with extent of calcification
- Iron-containing valve regions showed increased expression of genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling and calcification (qRT-PCR)
- Iron transporters regulated by pathways with major impact on AS
- VIC take up and accumulate iron, resulting in increased proliferation and decreased elastin production
Original publication
Iron alters valvular interstitial cell function and is associated with calcification in aortic stenosis. Eur Heart J. Published 18 April 2016. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it