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Recombinant Proteins> | Prior to transfection, AVICs were serum-starved in 1 mL of DMEM with 1% FBS overnight in 12-well plates. Lipofectamine 2000 (ThermoFisher) and concentrated STAT3α, STAT3β, or vector control plasmids (Genscript, Piscataway, NJ) were diluted in Opti-MEM media (ThermoFisher) and allowed to create DNA-lipid complexes for 20 minutes. Next, 200 μL of Opti-MEM containing 4 μL of Lipofectamine and 1 μg of plasmid DNA was added to each well. After 4 hours, media was replaced with complete media. In coculture models, macrophages were added 24 hours after transfection initiation, and in all experiments AVICs were harvested at 48 hours. | Get A Quote |
Objective Macrophages have been described in calcific aortic valve disease, but it is unclear if they promote or counteract calcification. We aimed to determine how macrophages are involved in calcification using the Notch1+/- model of calcific aortic valve disease. Approach and Results Macrophages in wild-type and Notch1+/- murine aortic valves were characterized by flow cytometry. Macrophages in Notch1+/- aortic valves had increased expression of MHCII. We then used bone marrow transplants to test if differences in Notch1+/- macrophages drive disease. Notch1+/- mice had increased valve thickness, macrophage infiltration, and M1-like macrophage polarization regardless of transplanted bone marrow genotype. In ... More