Xinmei Wang Author

Research Article Open Access

Progenitor Subpopulations of Valvular Cells Resembling Hematopoietic and Mesenchymal Stem Cells and their Role in Myofibroblastic Activation

Author(s):

Mir S Ali, Xinmei Wang and Carla MR Lacerda

valvular interstitial cells (qVICs) resembling fibroblasts. In diseased valves, a myofibroblastic phenotype, activated VICs (aVICs), is highly proliferative, synthesize extracellular matrix and repair/remodel the valve. Adult valves also have an understudied small population of progenitor cells (pVIC), which can differentiate into other VIC phenotypes. A better understanding is needed for the role of pVIC in valvular pathophysiology. We hypothesize that pVICs mediate deactivation of VICs, to control or prevent pathological development. Methods: In this study, we isolated two subpopulations of pVICs, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) and Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSC), and evaluated their role in myofibroblastic deactivation of VICs. Porcine pVIC subpopulations we... view more»

DOI: 10.4172/2325-9620.1000141

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