Work

Heart Valve Structure and Function in Development and Disease

Year: 2011

Type: review

Abstract: The mature heart valves are made up of highly organized extracellular matrix (ECM) and valve interstitial cells (VICs) surrounded by an endothelial cell layer. The ECM of the valves is stratified into elastin-, proteoglycan-, and collagen-rich layers that confer distinct biomechanical properties to the leaflets and supporting structures. Signaling pathways have critical functions in primary valvulogenesis as well as the maintenance of valve structure and function over time. Animal models provide powerful tools to study valve development and disease processes. Valve disease is a significant public health problem, and increasing evidence implicates aberrant developmental mechanisms underlying pathogenesis. Further studies are necessary to determine regulatory pathway interactions underlying valve pathogenesis in order to generate new avenues for novel therapeutics.

Source: Annual Review of Physiology

DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-012110-142145

Authors: Robert B. Hinton, Katherine E. Yutzey

Institution: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Cardiac Valve Diseases and Treatments

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute