European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Sep 2015
Osteopontin alters endothelial and valvular interstitial cell behaviour in calcific aortic valve stenosis through HMGB1 regulation.
Calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) is an important clinical problem predominantly affecting elderly individuals. Studies suggest that the progression of CAVS is actively regulated with valve endothelial injury leading to inflammation, fibrosis and calcification. The aim of this study was to delineate the possible regulatory role of osteopontin (OPN) on high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) function and the associated inflammatory and fibrotic response in CAVS. ⋯ We conclude that altered OPN expression in CAVS affects cellular HMGB1 function inducing cytoplasmic translocation and secretion of HMGB1 in endothelial cells and VICs, thus indicating a regulatory role for OPN in the progression of CAVS through alteration of HMGB1 function.