CLINICAL RESEARCH: VALVULAR HEART DISEASE
Dysregulation of Antioxidant Mechanisms Contributes to Increased Oxidative Stress in Calcific Aortic Valvular Stenosis in Humans
Jordan D. Miller, PhD*,*,
Yi Chu, PhD*, ,
Robert M. Brooks, BS*,
Wayne E. Richenbacher, MD ,
Ricardo Peña-Silva, MD*, and
Donald D. Heistad, MD*, ,
* Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa
Manuscript received November 12, 2007;
revised manuscript received May 1, 2008,
accepted May 27, 2008.
* Reprint requests and correspondence: Dr. Jordan D. Miller, University of Iowa, Department of Internal Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 (Email: jordan-miller{at}uiowa.edu).
 |
Abstract
|
|---|
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether oxidative stress is increased in calcified, stenotic aortic valves and to examine mechanisms that might contribute to increased oxidative stress.
Background: Oxidative stress is increased in atherosclerotic lesions and might play an important role in plaque progression and calcification. The role of oxidative stress in valve disease is not clear.
Methods: Superoxide (dihydroethidium fluorescence and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (dichlorofluorescein fluorescence), and expression and activity of pro- and anti-oxidant enzymes were measured in normal valves from hearts not suitable for transplantation and stenotic aortic valves that were removed during surgical replacement of the valve.
Results: In normal valves, superoxide levels were relatively low and distributed homogeneously throughout the valve. In stenotic valves, superoxide levels were increased 2-fold near the calcified regions of the valve (p < 0.05); noncalcified regions did not differ significantly from normal valves. Hydrogen peroxide levels were also markedly elevated in calcified regions of stenotic valves. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity was not increased in calcified regions of stenotic valves. Superoxide levels in stenotic valves were significantly reduced by inhibition of nitric oxide synthases (NOS), which suggests uncoupling of the enzyme. Antioxidant mechanisms were reduced in calcified regions of the aortic valve, because total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and expression of all 3 SOD isoforms was significantly decreased. Catalase expression also was reduced in pericalcific regions.
Conclusions: This study provides the first evidence that oxidative stress is increased in calcified regions of stenotic aortic valves from humans. Increased oxidative stress is due at least in part to reduction in expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes and perhaps to uncoupled NOS activity. Thus, mechanisms of oxidative stress differ greatly between stenotic aortic valves and atherosclerotic arteries.
Key Words: aortic valve calcification oxidative stress stenosis
|
Abbreviations and Acronyms
| | DHE = dihydroethidine | | L-NAME = nitro-L-arginine methyl ester | | mRNA = messenger ribonucleic acid | | NADPH = nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate | | NOS = nitric oxide synthase | | SOD = superoxide dismutase |
|
Replacement of the aortic valve in patients with symptomatic, calcific aortic valve stenosis is the most common valvular surgical procedure performed in the U.S. (1). Risk factors associated with the development of aortic valve stenosis are similar to those of atherosclerosis and include older age (2,3), male gender, hypertension, smoking, hypercholesterolemia (3), and diabetes (1,3).
Calcified lesions in stenotic aortic valves resemble atherosclerotic lesions and contain calcium (4), oxidized low-density lipoproteins, areas of neovascularization (5,6), high levels of matrix-remodeling enzymes (7–9), and apoptotic cells within the valvular plaque (10–12). A population of cells in calcified aortic valves is indistinguishable from osteoblast and osteoclast cells (13,14), which strongly suggests that the deposition of calcium and progression of aortic valve stenosis is an active process. Signaling cascades related to osteoblast differentiation have been examined in calcified aortic valves (5), but upstream activators of these pathways have been elusive.
Increases in oxidative stress might play a critical role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic plaques as well as differentiation of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells into a more osteoblast-like phenotype (15). In atherosclerotic plaques, increased oxidative stress seems to be due primarily to increases in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity, with no change or an increase in activity of antioxidant enzyme activities (16).
We obtained preliminary evidence for increased oxidative stress in an experimental mouse model of aortic valve stenosis (17). It is not known whether oxidative stress is increased in calcified aortic valves in humans or whether mechanisms that increase or protect against oxidative stress are altered. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that oxidative stress is increased in stenotic aortic valves in humans and to examine mechanisms that contribute to increases in oxidative stress in calcific aortic valve disease.
 |
Methods
|
|---|
Subject characteristics and methods for tissue acquisition, histological analysis (Von Kossa, Alizarin Red), detection of reactive oxygen species (dihydroethidium and dichlorofluorescein fluorescence, lucigenin chemiluminescence), measurements of gene expression (quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction), spatial distribution of proteins (fluorescent immunohistochemistry), and enzyme activity (NADPH oxidase and superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity) are detailed in the Online Appendix.
Statistics.
Group data are expressed as mean ± SEM. Comparisons between groups were made with unpaired t tests assuming unequal variances (Welch t test). Bonferroni corrections were used to control for multiple comparisons. Significance was defined as = 0.05.
 |
Results
|
|---|
Oxidative stress in aortic valves.
Superoxide
In nonstenotic human aortic valve tissue, dihydroethidine (DHE) fluorescence was relatively low and evenly distributed throughout the valve (Fig. 1A). In contrast, valves from patients with aortic stenosis had intense oxyethidium fluorescence near the calcified regions of the valve that progressively declined as the distance from the calcified regions increased (Figs. 1B to 1D) and was markedly reduced by polyethylene glycol SOD (PEG-SOD) (data not shown). Lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence confirmed that superoxide levels were much higher in calcified regions of the stenotic valve than in both normal and noncalcified valve regions (Fig. 1E) (p < 0.05); superoxide levels were similar in noncalcified regions of the stenotic valves and in normal tissue (Fig. 1E) (p = NS).

View larger version (35K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[Download PPT slide]
|
Figure 1 Superoxide Levels Detected With DHE Fluorescence and Lucigenin-Enhanced Chemiluminescence
Superoxide (red fluorescence) in a normal (A) and stenotic (B) aortic valve detected with dihydroethidine (DHE) fluorescence. Superoxide levels were markedly elevated near the calcified (calc) region of the valve and were markedly reduced by the addition of polyethylene glycol superoxide dismutase. Magnified images of noncalcified (non-calc) and calcified regions of a stenotic valve with DHE staining are shown in C and D. (E) Superoxide levels measured with lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence in corresponding regions of normal and stenotic valves (n = 14 control valves, n = 20 stenotic valves; *p < 0.05 vs. noncalcified stenotic tissue; #p < 0.05 vs. base and tip of normal valves).
|
|
H2O2
In nonstenotic human aortic valve tissue, H2O2 levels were very low and evenly distributed throughout the valve, as estimated by the PEG-catalase inhibitable fluorescence of dichlorofluorescein (Figs. 2A and 2B). In calcified valves, however, H2O2 levels were significantly increased in the calcified and peri-calcific regions of the valve versus regions further away from the calcified mass (Figs. 2C to 2E).

View larger version (41K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[Download PPT slide]
|
Figure 2 H2O2 Detected With DCF Fluorescence
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in a normal (A) and stenotic (C) aortic valve detected with dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence. Levels of H2O2 were markedly elevated near the calcified regions of the valve, and most of the DCF fluorescence was eliminated by pre-incubation of the slide with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-catalase (CAT) (B and D). (E) The PEG-CAT–inhibitable fraction of DCF fluorescence in normal (base and tip regions) and stenotic (calcified and noncalcified regions) aortic valves (n = 4 normal valves, n = 7 stenotic valves; *p < 0.05 vs. noncalcified stenotic tissue, #p < 0.05 vs. base region of normal valves). Abbreviations as in Figure 1.
|
|
Antioxidant enzymes.
SOD
Expression (messenger ribonucleic acid [mRNA] levels) of copper-zinc superoxide dimutase (SOD1), manganese SOD (SOD2), or extracellular SOD (SOD3) did not differ significantly between normal tissue and noncalcified regions of stenotic valves. However, in calcified regions of the stenotic valves, mRNA levels for CuZnSOD, MnSOD, and ecSOD were significantly reduced compared with normal tissue and were decreased by 75 ± 8%, 66 ± 13%, and 81 ± 8%, respectively, when compared with noncalcified regions of the same valve (Fig. 3A). Total SOD activity was also significantly reduced by 47 ± 12% (Fig. 3B).

View larger version (13K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[Download PPT slide]
|
Figure 3 SOD Expression and Activity in Normal and Stenotic Aortic Valves
(A) Expression of the 3 superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoforms in normal and noncalcified and calcified regions of stenotic aortic valves (n = 16 normal valves, n = 15 stenotic valves). (B) Regional total SOD activity in stenotic aortic valves (n = 10 normal valves, n = 11 stenotic valves; *p < 0.05 vs. normal valves; #p < 0.05 vs. noncalcified stenotic tissue). mRNA = messenger ribonucleic acid; other abbreviations as in Figure 1.
|
|
Catalase
Catalase mRNA levels were reduced by 63 ± 9% in noncalcified stenotic tissue compared with normal tissue (p < 0.05). Further reductions in catalase expression were observed in the calcified regions of stenotic valves, where mRNA levels for catalase were reduced by 89 ± 3% compared with normal valves (p < 0.05) (Fig. 4A).

View larger version (15K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[Download PPT slide]
|
Figure 4 Catalase Expression in Normal Valves and Noncalcified and Calcified Regions of Stenotic Aortic Valves
n = 10 normal valves, n = 11 stenotic valves; *p < 0.05 versus normal valves; #p < 0.05 versus noncalcified stenotic tissue. Abbreviations as in Figures 1 and 3.
|
|
Sources of reactive oxygen species.
In all aortic valves, Nox1 mRNA expression was below detectable limits. Expression of Nox2 and Nox4 mRNA did not differ significantly between normal valves and noncalcified regions of stenotic valves. However, Nox2 and Nox4 mRNA levels in calcified regions of stenotic valves were significantly decreased compared with normal valve tissue (Fig. 5A).

View larger version (33K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[Download PPT slide]
|
Figure 5 Pro-Oxidative Enzymes in Normal and Stenotic Aortic Valves
(A) Expression of subunits of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase in normal (n = 16) and stenotic aortic valves (n = 15 valves, with 15 noncalcified and 15 calcifed regions). (B) The NADPH oxidase activity in normal (n = 8 base and tip regions) and stenotic aortic valves (n = 14 calcified and noncalcified regions). Effects of inhibitors of enzymatic sources of superoxide in noncalcified (C) and calcified (D) regions of stenotic aortic valves measured with lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (n = 5 to 11/group). APO = apocynin; DPI = diphenylidonium; RLU = relative light units; other abbreviations as in Figures 1 and 3.
|
|
Addition of exogenous NADPH produced similar increases in superoxide in tissue homogenates of calcified and noncalcified valves (Fig. 5B). Thus, NADPH oxidase activity was similar in calcified and noncalcified regions of the valve. Addition of the flavin-containing enzyme inhibitor diphenyliodonium decreased superoxide levels in calcified valve homogenates, but the more specific NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin did not reduce superoxide levels (Fig. 5D).
Inhibition of the flavin-containing nitric oxide synthases (NOS) with nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) significantly reduced superoxide levels in both noncalcified and calcified regions of stenotic valves (Figs. 5C and 5D), which suggests a possible role for uncoupling of NOS. Neither indomethacin nor allopurinol reduced superoxide levels in noncalcified or calcified aortic valve tissue (data not shown).
Characterization of tissue with increased oxidative stress.
We did not observe consistent immunostaining for macrophages in regions with elevated oxidative stress (Fig. 6). However, tissue in calcified and peri-calcified regions of stenotic valves consistently expressed high levels of -smooth muscle actin (Fig. 6), which is consistent with an activated myofibroblast phenotype.

View larger version (94K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[Download PPT slide]
|
Figure 6 Macrophage and Activated Myofibroblast Markers in a Stenotic Human Valve
Antibodies against CD68 and -SMA were used to detect macrophages and activated myofibroblasts, respectively, in noncalcified and calcified regions. Representative images from n = 5. Inset images are negative control images from adjacent sections.
|
|
Expression of genes related to calcification.
Tissue in calcified regions of stenotic valves had intense immunofluorescence for the pro-osteoblast transcription factor Msx2 (Figs. 7C and 7D), and modest immunofluorescence of Msx1 (Figs. 7A and 7B). Interestingly, immunofluorescence for the osteogenic transcription factor CBFA1/Runx2 was significantly increased in noncalcified regions of stenotic valves compared with normal tissue. In contrast, staining for CBFA1 was not prominent in calcified regions of stenotic valves (Figs. 7E and 7F), which is consistent with mRNA levels (Fig. 7H). Expression of osteopontin mRNA in valve tissue was similar between normal valves and noncalcified regions of stenotic valves but was significantly increased in the calcified regions of stenotic valves (Fig. 7G).

View larger version (47K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[Download PPT slide]
|
Figure 7 Immunofluorescent Staining in Noncalcified and Calcified Regions of Stenotic Aortic Valves
Immunofluorescent staining for Msx1 (A and B), Msx2 (C and D), and CBFA1 (E and F) in noncalcified and calcified regions of stenotic aortic valves (inset images are negative control images from adjacent sections; representative images from n = 5/stain). Panels G and H show messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of osteopontin and CBFA1/Runx2 mRNA in normal valves and in noncalcified and calcified regions of stenotic aortic valves (*p < 0.05 vs. normal tissue, #p < 0.05 vs. noncalcified stenotic tissue, n = 8/group). Abbreviations as in Figure 1.
|
|
 |
Discussion
|
|---|
The main findings of this study are: 1) levels of superoxide and H2O2 are markedly increased in calcified regions of stenotic aortic valves from humans; 2) expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes are reduced in calcified regions of stenotic aortic valves; and 3) superoxide production in calcified aortic valves seems to be related at least in part to uncoupling of NOS but not to increases in NADPH oxidase activity. Thus, oxidative stress is increased in stenotic aortic valves, but mechanisms that account for oxidative stress differ greatly from those observed in atherosclerotic arteries (Fig. 8).

View larger version (72K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[Download PPT slide]
|
Figure 8 Different Mechanisms Generating Oxidative Stress in Vascular Lesions and Calcifed Stenotic Aortic Valves
= no change; +/– = increases or decreases have been reported; NADPH = nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate; NOS = nitric oxide synthase.
|
|
Reactive oxygen species are increased in calcified regions of stenotic valves.
We found increases in superoxide and H2O2 levels near calcified regions of stenotic aortic valves. This finding is similar to changes in atherosclerotic plaques, where superoxide seems to play an important role in the local inflammatory response (18,19), migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle (20,21), and endothelial dysfunction (22–24). Several of these effects might be mediated by increased oxidative stress, reducing the bioavailability of nitric oxide and the promotion of uncoupled NOS activity (25,26).
The close association between calcification and oxidative stress in the present investigation broaches the question: do increases in oxidative stress cause valvular calcification or are increases in oxidative stress an epiphenomenon associated with aortic valve stenosis? This study does not address this question, but many genes related to soft tissue calcification (15), inflammation (19), and matrix remodeling (27) are regulated by oxidative stress. Increased oxidative stress might play a role in the early stages of valve disease by driving myofibroblast activation (28). These "activated" cells are capable of subsequent transdifferentiation to cells with an osteoblast phenotype. Evidence for a role of oxidative stress in transdifferentiation to an osteoblast-like cell differentiation has been provided in vitro, where generation of either superoxide or H2O2 increases the formation of calcified nodules in vascular muscle (15). Thus, it is reasonable to speculate that oxidative stress might be upstream in several signaling cascades related to changes in the aortic valve. Whether increases in oxidative stress play a key role in initiation and progression of aortic valve disease in vivo has not yet been demonstrated.
Decreased antioxidant enzyme function contributes to increases in oxidative stress.
We found that expression and activity of CuZnSOD, MnSOD, and ecSOD were decreased in calcified regions of stenotic valves and thus might contribute to increases in superoxide in these regions. These changes are directionally opposite from those observed in atherosclerotic plaques, where expression of CuZnSOD and MnSOD is unchanged and ecSOD expression is increased (16). We speculate that this finding could be explained by: 1) downregulation or repression of SOD expression (29); 2) impairment of mechanisms that upregulate SOD expression (e.g., peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma [30,31]); or 3) paradoxical reductions in pro-inflammatory stimuli that might occur in end-stage aortic valve stenosis (32).
Hydrogen peroxide was increased in stenotic aortic valves despite decreases in SOD activity. In contrast to atherosclerotic plaques, where increased dismutation of superoxide by elevated SOD levels contributes to increases in H2O2 (33), increases in peri-calcific H2O2 in the valve cannot be explained by increases in SOD activity. Instead, reductions in antioxidant enzymes related to H2O2 catabolism might contribute to increases in levels of H2O2. Support for this hypothesis is provided by our observation that expression of catalase was reduced in the calcified regions of the valve. Thus, reduced expression of proteins that catabolize peroxide in calcified valve tissue resembles atherosclerotic lesions, where expression of catalase and glutathione peroxidase-1 are also reduced (34,35).
Determining the role of H2O2 in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases has proven to be difficult. One reason is that altering the expression of enzymes related to the catabolism of H2O2 is likely to alter the expression of other genes (e.g., through epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation). Overexpression of CuZnSOD paradoxically accelerates the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E–/– mice and can be "rescued" by overexpression of catalase (33). This finding suggests that H2O2 might play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis.
Sources of superoxide in calcified regions of stenotic valves.
A surprising finding in the present study was that NADPH oxidase activity was not increased in the calcified regions of stenotic valves, and expression of the catalytic subunits of the oxidase was unchanged or decreased. These findings contrast with observations in atherosclerotic plaques, where upregulation of the catalytic subunits of NADPH oxidase plays a key role in increasing oxidative stress (16,36).
We used several inhibitors to examine potential sources of superoxide production in the calcified regions of stenotic valves. Diphenyliodonium (a nonspecific inhibitor of flavin-containing enzymes, including NADPH oxidase) reduced superoxide levels. We found, however, that specific inhibition of the NOS (which are also flavin-containing enzymes) with L-NAME produced the most consistent reductions in superoxide levels. This finding is surprising, because nitric oxide generated by NOS quenches superoxide, and L-NAME would therefore be expected to increase superoxide levels.
The finding that superoxide is reduced by L-NAME could be explained by "uncoupling" of enzymatic activity of endothelial, inducible, or neuronal NOS, which might occur during a deficiency in 1 or more cofactors required for the generation of nitric oxide (25,26). Depletion of the NOS cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) can result in generation of superoxide radicals by NOS (37). Local biopterin levels seem to be a critical determinant of NOS function (38), are modulated by levels of peroxynitrite (which oxidize BH4 to BH3), and can be increased by antioxidants (37).
Expression of genes related to calcification.
We found that, similar to previous studies (14), expression of tissue osteopontin was markedly increased in the calcified region of stenotic aortic valves. Although increased plasma osteopontin levels are thought to confer protection against soft tissue calcification, elevated tissue levels of osteopontin might actually augment soft tissue calcification by increasing local inflammation and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (39).
We also found increases in expression of CBFA1/Runx2 in stenotic aortic valves, although these increases were most pronounced in noncalcified regions of the valve. This finding might reflect early stages of myofibroblast transdifferentiation to a more osteoblast-like phenotype, because alterations in Smad tone and increases in CBFA1/Runx2 play a key role in transdifferentiation in myoblastic (40) and vascular smooth muscle cells (41). Interestingly, we observed marked increases in Msx2 immunofluorescence in calcified regions of stenotic valve, which suggest that Msx2 might be promoting further differentiation of activated myofibroblasts to an osteoblast-like phenotype in the calcified regions of the valve, perhaps through canonical Wnt signaling pathways (42).
Study limitations.
An inherent limitation of our study of diseased tissue from humans with end-stage disease is that we are unable to examine experimentally whether increases in oxidative stress drive valvular calcification or whether oxidative stress is an epiphenomenon associated with the disease. Nevertheless, these findings provide strong evidence for an association but not necessarily a causal relationship between oxidative stress and aortic stenosis and lay the groundwork for mechanistic studies.
We did not collect clinical information from the patients whose valves were used in these studies. Consequently, we are not able to examine variability within a group by drug treatment or comorbid conditions. Numerous drugs reduce oxidative stress via increases in antioxidant enzyme expression or by reducing NADPH oxidase activity. Consequently, oxidative stress might be considerably higher in animal models of aortic valve stenosis or in stenotic valves from patients who are not receiving optimal pharmacotherapy. In addition, there are compelling data linking acceleration of lesion formation and calcification by diabetes to activation of NADPH oxidase (39,43). Thus, in some patients (perhaps especially diabetic patients), we cannot exclude the possibility that increases in NADPH oxidase activity contribute to oxidative stress in the aortic valve.
An unusual aspect of our tissue acquisition process is that the time from tissue explantation to placing the tissue in ice-cold buffer is <15 min. Additionally, our normal valve group was not composed of tissues gathered at autopsy but instead were "transplant quality" tissues acquired from organ procurement organizations (see Online Appendix). Thus, changes in oxidative stress or enzymatic activity probably cannot be attributed to differences in time to post-explant tissue preservation.
Clinical implications.
Treatments that effectively slow the progression of aortic valve stenosis have proven elusive (32,44,45). Retrospective studies suggest that "statins" (46) and angiotensin-converting enyme inhibitors (47) might slow the progression of aortic valve stenosis, although prospective studies have yielded conflicting results (32,48). Both statins and angiotensin-converting enyme inhibitors also reduce oxidative stress (49), and it is possible that interventions specifically targeting oxidative stress during earlier stages of the disease (e.g., when patients have aortic sclerosis) might slow the progression of aortic valve stenosis.
 |
Conclusions
|
|---|
Oxidative stress is increased in calcified regions of stenotic aortic valves. In striking contrast to atherosclerotic lesions, increased oxidative stress seems to be due in part to reductions in antioxidant enzyme expression and activity. Furthermore, NOS uncoupling might play an important role in the generation of superoxide in calcified aortic valves. Additional studies are needed to experimentally test whether oxidative stress is a viable therapeutic target to slow the progression of aortic valve stenosis.
 |
Added note in proofs
|
|---|
After submission of this paper, another article was published by Liberman et al. (50) that also indicated that oxidative stress occurs in stenotic aortic valves.
 |
Appendix
|
|---|
For supplementary methods, please see the online version of this article.
 |
Acknowledgments
|
|---|
The authors thank Kristine M. Serrano and Donald D. Lund, PhD, for assistance with data acquisition and analysis; Kathleen Walters for staining tissue sections; Jeffrey E. Everett, MD, for assisting in the procurement of diseased aortic valve tissue; Teresa Ruggle for assistance with figures and illustrations; and Frank M. Faraci, PhD, Francis J. Miller, MD, and Robert M. Weiss, MD, for insightful discussions regarding the data and study design.
 |
Footnotes
|
|---|
Studies were supported by National Institutes of Health grants HL-086160, HL-62984, and NS-24621; funds provided by the Veterans Affairs Medical Service; and a Carver Research Program of Excellence.
 |
References
|
|---|
1. Bonow RO, Carabello B, de Leon AC, et al. ACC/AHA guidelines for the management of patients with valvular heart disease: executive summary. A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Committee on Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease). J Am Coll Cardiol 1998;32:1486-1588.[Free Full Text]2. Lindroos M, Kupari M, Valvanne J, Strandberg T, Heikkila J, Tilvis R. Factors associated with calcific aortic valve degeneration in the elderly Eur Heart J 1994;15:865-870.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 3. Messika-Zeitoun D, Bielak LF, Peyser PA, et al. Aortic valve calcification: determinants and progression in the population Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2007;27:642-648.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 4. Otto CM, Kuusisto J, Reichenbach DD, Gown AM, O'Brien KD. Characterization of the early lesion of degenerative valvular aortic stenosis. Histological and immunohistochemical studies. Circulation 1994;90:844-853.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 5. Rajamannan NM, Subramaniam M, Caira F, Stock SR, Spelsberg TC. Atorvastatin inhibits hypercholesterolemia-induced calcification in the aortic valves via the Lrp5 receptor pathway Circulation 2005;112:I229-I234.[Web of Science][Medline] 6. Yoshioka M, Yuasa S, Matsumura K, et al. Chondromodulin-I maintains cardiac valvular function by preventing angiogenesis Nat Med 2006;12:1151-1159.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] 7. Jian B, Jones PL, Li Q, Mohler III ER, Schoen FJ, Levy RJ. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 is associated with tenascin-C in calcific aortic stenosis Am J Pathol 2001;159:321-327.[Web of Science][Medline] 8. Kaden JJ, Vocke DC, Fischer CS, et al. Expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in calcific aortic stenosis Z Kardiol 2004;93:124-130.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] 9. Satta J, Oiva J, Salo T, et al. Evidence for an altered balance between matrix metalloproteinase-9 and its inhibitors in calcific aortic stenosis Ann Thorac Surg 2003;76:681-688discussion 688.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 10. Jian B, Narula N, Li QY, Mohler ER, Levy RJ. Progression of aortic valve stenosis: TGF-beta1 is present in calcified aortic valve cusps and promotes aortic valve interstitial cell calcification via apoptosis Ann Thorac Surg 2003;75:457-465discussion 465–6.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 11. Lee YS, Chou YY. Electron microscopic observations of apoptotic cells in various etiologies of human cardiovascular diseases Chin Med J (Engl) 1998;111:428-432.[Medline] 12. Tanaka K, Sata M, Fukuda D, et al. Age-associated aortic stenosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;46:134-141.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 13. Mohler III ER, Chawla MK, Chang AW, et al. Identification and characterization of calcifying valve cells from human and canine aortic valves J Heart Valve Dis 1999;8:254-260.[Web of Science][Medline] 14. Rajamannan NM, Subramaniam M, Rickard D, et al. Human aortic valve calcification is associated with an osteoblast phenotype Circulation 2003;107:2181-2184.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 15. Mody N, Parhami F, Sarafian TA, Demer LL. Oxidative stress modulates osteoblastic differentiation of vascular and bone cells Free Radic Biol Med 2001;31:509-519.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] 16. Fukai T, Galis ZS, Meng XP, Parthasarathy S, Harrison DG. Vascular expression of extracellular superoxide dismutase in atherosclerosis J Clin Invest 1998;101:2101-2111.[Web of Science][Medline] 17. Weiss RM, Ohashi M, Miller JD, Young SG, Heistad DD. Calcific aortic valve stenosis in old hypercholesterolemic mice Circulation 2006;114:2065-2069.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 18. Jacobi J, Kristal B, Chezar J, Shaul SM, Sela S. Exogenous superoxide mediates pro-oxidative, proinflammatory, and procoagulatory changes in primary endothelial cell cultures Free Radic Biol Med 2005;39:1238-1248.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] 19. Yoshii T, Iwai M, Li Z, et al. Regression of atherosclerosis by amlodipine via anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress actions Hypertens Res 2006;29:457-466.[CrossRef][Medline] 20. Levonen AL, Inkala M, Heikura T, et al. Nrf2 gene transfer induces antioxidant enzymes and suppresses smooth muscle cell growth in vitro and reduces oxidative stress in rabbit aorta in vivo Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2007;27:741-747.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 21. Ushio-Fukai M, Alexander RW, Akers M, Griendling KK. p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase is a critical component of the redox-sensitive signaling pathways activated by angiotensin II. Role in vascular smooth muscle cell hypertrophy. J Biol Chem 1998;273:15022-15029.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 22. Ohashi M, Runge MS, Faraci FM, Heistad DD. MnSOD deficiency increases endothelial dysfunction in ApoE-deficient mice Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2006;26:2331-2336.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 23. Schmidt TS, Alp NJ. Mechanisms for the role of tetrahydrobiopterin in endothelial function and vascular disease Clin Sci (Lond) 2007;113:47-63.[Medline] 24. Zhang H, Luo Y, Zhang W, et al. Endothelial-specific expression of mitochondrial thioredoxin improves endothelial cell function and reduces atherosclerotic lesions Am J Pathol 2007;170:1108-1120.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] 25. Landmesser U, Dikalov S, Price SR, et al. Oxidation of tetrahydrobiopterin leads to uncoupling of endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase in hypertension J Clin Invest 2003;111:1201-1209.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] 26. Milstien S, Katusic Z. Oxidation of tetrahydrobiopterin by peroxynitrite: implications for vascular endothelial function Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1999;263:681-684.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] 27. Zalba G, Fortuno A, Orbe J, et al. Phagocytic NADPH oxidase-dependent superoxide production stimulates matrix metalloproteinase-9: implications for human atherosclerosis Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2007;27:587-593.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 28. Cucoranu I, Clempus R, Dikalova A, et al. NAD(P)H oxidase 4 mediates transforming growth factor-beta1-induced differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts into myofibroblasts Circ Res 2005;97:900-907.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 29. Dhar SK, Xu Y, Chen Y, St Clair DK. Specificity protein 1-dependent p53-mediated suppression of human manganese superoxide dismutase gene expression J Biol Chem 2006;281:21698-21709.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 30. Inoue I, Goto S, Matsunaga T, et al. The ligands/activators for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) and PPARgamma increase Cu2+,Zn2+-superoxide dismutase and decrease p22phox message expressions in primary endothelial cells Metabolism 2001;50:3-11.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] 31. Keen HL, Ryan MJ, Beyer A, et al. Gene expression profiling of potential PPARgamma target genes in mouse aorta Physiol Genomics 2004;18:33-42.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 32. Moura LM, Ramos SF, Zamorano JL, et al. Rosuvastatin affecting aortic valve endothelium to slow the progression of aortic stenosis J Am Coll Cardiol 2007;49:554-561.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 33. Yang H, Roberts LJ, Shi MJ, et al. Retardation of atherosclerosis by overexpression of catalase or both Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase and catalase in mice lacking apolipoprotein E Circ Res 2004;95:1075-1081.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 34. Kobayashi S, Inoue N, Azumi H, et al. Expressional changes of the vascular antioxidant system in atherosclerotic coronary arteries J Atheroscler Thromb 2002;9:184-190.[Medline] 35. 't Hoen PA, Van der Lans CA, Van Eck M, Bijsterbosch MK, Van Berkel TJ, Twisk J. Aorta of ApoE-deficient mice responds to atherogenic stimuli by a prelesional increase and subsequent decrease in the expression of antioxidant enzymes Circ Res 2003;93:262-269.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 36. Barry-Lane PA, Patterson C, van der Merwe M, et al. p47phox is required for atherosclerotic lesion progression in ApoE(-/-) mice J Clin Invest 2001;108:1513-1522.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] 37. Kuzkaya N, Weissmann N, Harrison DG, Dikalov S. Interactions of peroxynitrite, tetrahydrobiopterin, ascorbic acid, and thiols: implications for uncoupling endothelial nitric-oxide synthase J Biol Chem 2003;278:22546-22554.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 38. Antoniades C, Shirodaria C, Crabtree M, et al. Altered plasma versus vascular biopterins in human atherosclerosis reveal relationships between endothelial nitric oxide synthase coupling, endothelial function, and inflammation Circulation 2007;116:2851-2859.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 39. Lai CF, Seshadri V, Huang K, et al. An osteopontin-NADPH oxidase signaling cascade promotes pro-matrix metalloproteinase 9 activation in aortic mesenchymal cells Circ Res 2006;98:1479-1489.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 40. Zhang YW, Yasui N, Ito K, et al. A RUNX2/PEBP2alpha A/CBFA1 mutation displaying impaired transactivation and Smad interaction in cleidocranial dysplasia Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2000;97:10549-10554.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 41. Steitz SA, Speer MY, Curinga G, et al. Smooth muscle cell phenotypic transition associated with calcification: upregulation of Cbfa1 and downregulation of smooth muscle lineage markers Circ Res 2001;89:1147-1154.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 42. Shao JS, Aly ZA, Lai CF, et al. Vascular Bmp Msx2 Wnt signaling and oxidative stress in arterial calcification Ann N Y Acad Sci 2007;1117:40-50.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] 43. Roy H, Bhardwaj S, Babu M, et al. VEGF-A, VEGF-D, VEGF receptor-1, VEGF receptor-2, NF-kappaB, and RAGE in atherosclerotic lesions of diabetic Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits Faseb J 2006;20:2159-2161.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 44. Moura LM, Zamorano J, Perez-Oteyza C, Rocha-Gonclves F, Rajamannan NM. The role of statins in aortic stenosis. Myth or reality?. Rev Port Cardiol 2007;26:51-62.[Medline] 45. Rajamannan NM. Reassessment of statins to retard the progression of aortic stenosis Curr Cardiol Rep 2007;9:99-104.[CrossRef][Medline] 46. Rosenhek R, Rader F, Loho N, et al. Statins but not angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors delay progression of aortic stenosis Circulation 2004;110:1291-1295.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 47. O'Brien KD, Probstfield JL, Caulfield MT, et al. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and change in aortic valve calcium Arch Intern Med 2005;165:858-862.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 48. Cowell SJ, Newby DE, Prescott RJ, et al. A randomized trial of intensive lipid-lowering therapy in calcific aortic stenosis N Engl J Med 2005;352:2389-2397.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] 49. Nickenig G. Should angiotensin II receptor blockers and statins be combined? Circulation 2004;110:1013-1020.[Free Full Text] 50. Liberman M, Bassi E, Martinatti MK, et al. Oxidant generation predominates around calcifying foci and enhances progression of aortic valve calcification Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2008;28:463-470.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
Related Articles
-
Oxidation, Inflammation, and Aortic Valve Calcification: Peroxide Paves an Osteogenic Path
- Dwight A. Towler
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 2008 52: 851-854.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
-
Inside This Issue of JACC
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 2008 52: A31-A32.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
This article has been cited by other articles:

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. Li, D. Mittelstein, J. Lee, K. Fang, R. Majumdar, Y. Tintut, L. L. Demer, and T. K. Hsiai
A dynamic model of calcific nodule destabilization in response to monocyte- and oxidized lipid-induced matrix metalloproteinases
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol,
February 15, 2012;
302(4):
C658 - C665.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
N. M. Rajamannan, F. J. Evans, E. Aikawa, K. J. Grande-Allen, L. L. Demer, D. D. Heistad, C. A. Simmons, K. S. Masters, P. Mathieu, K. D. O'Brien, et al.
Calcific Aortic Valve Disease: Not Simply a Degenerative Process: A Review and Agenda for Research From the National Heart and Lung and Blood Institute Aortic Stenosis Working Group * Executive Summary: Calcific Aortic Valve Disease - 2011 Update
Circulation,
October 18, 2011;
124(16):
1783 - 1791.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
K. I. Bostrom, N. M. Rajamannan, and D. A. Towler
The Regulation of Valvular and Vascular Sclerosis by Osteogenic Morphogens
Circ. Res.,
August 19, 2011;
109(5):
564 - 577.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J.-S. Shao, O. L. Sierra, R. Cohen, R. P. Mecham, A. Kovacs, J. Wang, K. Distelhorst, A. Behrmann, L. R. Halstead, and D. A. Towler
Vascular Calcification and Aortic Fibrosis: A Bifunctional Role for Osteopontin in Diabetic Arteriosclerosis
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol,
August 1, 2011;
31(8):
1821 - 1833.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
N. Joghetaei, P. Akhyari, B. H. Rauch, P. Cullen, A. Lichtenberg, M. Rudelius, J. Pelisek, and R. Schmidt
Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (CD147) and membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase are expressed on tissue macrophages in calcific aortic stenosis and induce transmigration in an artificial valve model
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg.,
July 1, 2011;
142(1):
191 - 198.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J.-H. Chen and C. A. Simmons
Cell-Matrix Interactions in the Pathobiology of Calcific Aortic Valve Disease: Critical Roles for Matricellular, Matricrine, and Matrix Mechanics Cues
Circ. Res.,
June 10, 2011;
108(12):
1510 - 1524.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. D. Miller, R. M. Weiss, and D. D. Heistad
Calcific Aortic Valve Stenosis: Methods, Models, and Mechanisms
Circ. Res.,
May 27, 2011;
108(11):
1392 - 1412.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. A. Towler
Vascular Calcification: It's All the RAGE!
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol,
February 1, 2011;
31(2):
237 - 239.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. D. Miller, R. M. Weiss, K. M. Serrano, L. E. Castaneda, R. M. Brooks, K. Zimmerman, and D. D. Heistad
Evidence for Active Regulation of Pro-Osteogenic Signaling in Advanced Aortic Valve Disease
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol,
December 1, 2010;
30(12):
2482 - 2486.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. Gielen, G. Schuler, and V. Adams
Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise Training: Molecular Mechanisms
Circulation,
September 21, 2010;
122(12):
1221 - 1238.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
W. S. Speidl, G. Cimmino, B. Ibanez, S. Elmariah, R. Hutter, M. J. Garcia, V. Fuster, M. E. Goldman, and J. J. Badimon
Recombinant apolipoprotein A-I Milano rapidly reverses aortic valve stenosis and decreases leaflet inflammation in an experimental rabbit model
Eur. Heart J.,
August 2, 2010;
31(16):
2049 - 2057.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. Hjortnaes, J. Butcher, J.-L. Figueiredo, M. Riccio, R. H. Kohler, K. M. Kozloff, R. Weissleder, and E. Aikawa
Arterial and aortic valve calcification inversely correlates with osteoporotic bone remodelling: a role for inflammation
Eur. Heart J.,
August 2, 2010;
31(16):
1975 - 1984.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S.-L. Cheng, J.-S. Shao, L. R. Halstead, K. Distelhorst, O. Sierra, and D. A. Towler
Activation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Parathyroid Hormone Receptor Inhibits Wnt/{beta}-Catenin Signaling and Aortic Fibrosis in Diabetic Arteriosclerosis
Circ. Res.,
July 23, 2010;
107(2):
271 - 282.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. H. Rahimtoola
The Year in Valvular Heart Disease
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol.,
April 20, 2010;
55(16):
1729 - 1742.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J.-S. Shao, S.-L. Cheng, J. Sadhu, and D. A. Towler
Inflammation and the Osteogenic Regulation of Vascular Calcification: A Review and Perspective
Hypertension,
March 1, 2010;
55(3):
579 - 592.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
Y. Matsumoto, V. Adams, S. Jacob, N. Mangner, G. Schuler, and A. Linke
Regular Exercise Training Prevents Aortic Valve Disease in Low-Density Lipoprotein-Receptor-Deficient Mice
Circulation,
February 16, 2010;
121(6):
759 - 767.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
N. M. Rajamannan
Mechanisms of aortic valve calcification: the LDL-density-radius theory: a translation from cell signaling to physiology
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol,
January 1, 2010;
298(1):
H5 - H15.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. Almeida, E. Ambrogini, L. Han, S. C. Manolagas, and R. L. Jilka
Increased Lipid Oxidation Causes Oxidative Stress, Increased Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-{gamma} Expression, and Diminished Pro-osteogenic Wnt Signaling in the Skeleton
J. Biol. Chem.,
October 2, 2009;
284(40):
27438 - 27448.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. A. Pena-Silva, J. D. Miller, Y. Chu, and D. D. Heistad
Serotonin produces monoamine oxidase-dependent oxidative stress in human heart valves
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol,
October 1, 2009;
297(4):
H1354 - H1360.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. S. Owens and C. M. Otto
Is it Time for a New Paradigm in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease?
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. Img.,
August 1, 2009;
2(8):
928 - 930.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
N. Koleganova, G. Piecha, E. Ritz, P. Schirmacher, A. Muller, H.-P. Meyer, and M.-L. Gross
Arterial calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease
Nephrol. Dial. Transplant.,
August 1, 2009;
24(8):
2488 - 2496.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. D. Miller, R. M. Weiss, K. M. Serrano, R. M. Brooks II, C. J. Berry, K. Zimmerman, S. G. Young, and D. D. Heistad
Lowering Plasma Cholesterol Levels Halts Progression of Aortic Valve Disease in Mice
Circulation,
May 26, 2009;
119(20):
2693 - 2701.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. Parolari, C. Loardi, L. Mussoni, L. Cavallotti, M. Camera, P. Biglioli, E. Tremoli, and F. Alamanni
Nonrheumatic calcific aortic stenosis: an overview from basic science to pharmacological prevention
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg,
March 1, 2009;
35(3):
493 - 504.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. N. DeMaria, O. Ben-Yehuda, J. J. Bax, G. K. Feld, B. H. Greenberg, W. Y.W. Lew, J. A.C. Lima, A. S. Maisel, S. M. Narayan, D. J. Sahn, et al.
Highlights of the Year in JACC 2008
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol.,
January 27, 2009;
53(4):
373 - 398.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. A. Towler
Oxidation, Inflammation, and Aortic Valve Calcification: Peroxide Paves an Osteogenic Path
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol.,
September 2, 2008;
52(10):
851 - 854.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|
|