Abstract
Objective To identify biological characteristics of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) in rheumatic valvular disease. Methods Surgically excised rheumatic mitral valves ( n = 22) and normal mitral valves (n = 10) were collected and paraffin-embedded for Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) and van gieson (VG) staining. Rheumatic and normal VICs were isolated from fresh mitral valves and analyzed using immunocytochemistry, Western blotting and Hoechst 33342 staining. Results Rheumatic mitral valves showed fibrosis (n = 22) and calcification (n = 20). The phenotype of normal VICs was vimentin ( + ),α-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) ( - ) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) ( - ), while rheumatic VICs showed vimentin ( + ), α-SMA ( + ) and ALP ( + ). The rheumatic VICs secreted abundant type Ⅰ collagen (3-fold) and contained more apoptotic cells (6-fold) than the normal VICs. Conclusion The change in biological characteristics of rheumatic VICs contributed to thickness, fibrosis and calcification seen in rheumatic valvular samples. Key words: Rheumatic valvular disease; Valvular interstitial cells; α-SMA; Alkaline phosphatase
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