Association of N‐cadherin and beta‐catenin with activation of valve interstitial cells

TL;DRAbstract

Background Valve interstitial cells (VICs), the most prevalent cells in the heart valve, become activated upon injury and disease. Cell‐cell adhesion proteins N‐cadherin and β‐catenin should be present in VICs and the latter may translocate to the nucleus upon disruption of cell‐cell contacts to regulate gene expression. We hypothesize that absence or disruption of cell‐cell contacts increases cytosolic β‐catenin and VIC activation. Methods Porcine VIC cultures were maintained in standard media in 10% fetal bovine serum for 7 to 10 days. Subconfluent, confluent, and wounded monolayers were fixed and stained with antibodies against β‐catenin and N‐cadherin, and α‐SMA to demonstrate VIC activation. Immunofluorescently stained VICs were viewed under a scanning confocal microscope. Results Comparing single, islands, confluent monolayers, and wound edge VICs, we found diffuse, stress fiber and diffuse, reduced, and stress fiber α‐SMA staining respectively. Single VICs and VICs that migrated

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