Cells and extracellular matrix interplay in cardiac valve disease: because age matters

摘要: Cardiovascular aging is a physiological process affecting all components of the heart. Despite interest and experimental effort lavished on cardiac cells, increasing evidence pointing at pivotal role extracellular matrix (ECM) in aging. Structural molecular changes ECM composition during are root significant functional modifications level valve apparatus. Indeed, calcification or myxomatous degeneration valves their impairment can be explained light age-related alterations reciprocal interplay between altered cellular elements populating leaflet, namely valvular interstitial cells endothelial additionally function with striking reflexes clinical scenario. The initial findings this argument underlining need for more comprehensive understanding biological mechanisms underlying remodeling as potentially constituting pharmacological therapeutic target basis to improve existing prosthetic devices treatment options. Given lack systematic knowledge topic, review will focus that occur translational relevance implications bedside