Expression profiling of human valve interstitial and endothelial cells and the effect of BMP and TGFB signaling

Microarray gene expression profiling of the minimally cultured human heart valve interstitial and endothelial cells with and without treatment with BMP4 and TGFB3 signaling molecules We collected heart valve tissues from explanted non-diseased heart valve from pediatric patients undergoing heart transplant. Valve interstitial cells (VICs) and valve endothelial cells (VECs) were harvested and expanded in a culturing system for a few passages. These cells either treated with BMP4 or TGFb3 signaling agonists or untreated (control) and incubated for 8 hours before used for microarray profiling experiments. The goal is to identify (1) the gene expression signatures associated with human heart valve interstitial and endothelial cells, and (2) the effect of BMP and TGFb signaling signaling on these cells, especially with regard to promoting/inhibiting the endothelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) program.