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Article
Vascular smooth muscle cells as a valvular interstitial cell surrogate in heart valve tissue engineering
Tissue Engineering - Part A
  • Andrew J.E. Appleton, Western University
  • C. Thomas G. Appleton, Western University
  • Derek R. Boughner, Western University
  • Kem A. Rogers, Western University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2009
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1089/ten.tea.2009.0031
Abstract

Background: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are a potential autologous cell source for aortic valve tissue engineering, but have a phenotype that differs from that of valvular interstitial cells in vivo. We hypothesized that combining basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) with transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) would achieve a valvular interstitial cell-like phenotype of VSMCs. Methods: VSMC phenotype was assessed by immunofluorescence, proliferation was measured by the tetrazolium reduction (MTT) assay, and extracellular matrix gene expression was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Combinations of growth factors that included PDGF showed the greatest increases in proliferation. Immunofluorescence for α-smooth muscle actin demonstrated an inverse correlation between proliferation and a myofibroblast-like phenotype, while combinations of TGF-β1+ EGF+bFGF (TEF) and TGF-β1+EGF+PDGF (TEP) induced the greatest change of α-smooth muscle actin expression compared to untreated controls. Finally, TEP treatment showed an increase in versican, fibronectin, and type I collagen mRNA expression, while decreasing matrix metalloproteinase 1 expression. Conclusions: Combination of TGF-β1 with EGF and PDGF induces VSMC proliferation and expression of extracellular matrix constituents found in the aortic valve. In vitro preconditioning of VSMCs provides a potentially viable surrogate cell source for developing a valve graft. © 2009, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Citation Information
Andrew J.E. Appleton, C. Thomas G. Appleton, Derek R. Boughner and Kem A. Rogers. "Vascular smooth muscle cells as a valvular interstitial cell surrogate in heart valve tissue engineering" Tissue Engineering - Part A (2009) p. 3889 - 3897
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/tom-appleton/11/