Abstract
Ongoing research efforts aim at improving the creation of tissue-engineered heart valves for in vivo systemic application. Hence, in vitro studies concentrate on optimising culture protocols incorporating biological as well as biophysical stimuli for tissue development. Important lessons can be drawn from valvulogenesis to mimic natural valve development in vitro. Here, we review the up-to-date status of valvulogenesis, focussing on the biomolecular and biophysical regulation of semilunar valve development. In addition, we discuss potential benefits of incorporating concepts derived from valvulogenesis, as well as alternative approaches, in tissue-engineering protocols, to improve in vitro valve development. The combined efforts from clinicians, cell biologists and engineers are required to implement and evaluate these approaches to achieve optimised protocols for heart-valve tissue engineering. (C) 2010 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier By. All rights reserved.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 8-17 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2011 |
Keywords
- Aortic valve
- Tissue engineering
- Embryology
- Valve growth and development
- VALVE INTERSTITIAL-CELLS
- MESENCHYMAL STEM-CELLS
- ENDOTHELIAL PROGENITOR CELLS
- BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN-2
- AORTIC HEART-VALVE
- GROWTH-FACTOR
- IN-VIVO
- EXTRACELLULAR-MATRIX
- CARDIOVASCULAR TISSUE
- CARDIAC VALVES