Cellular landscapes of osteogenically differentiated valvular interstitial cells stimulated with XCT790-loaded nanoparticles

The pathogenesis of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is unknown. XCT790 is a specific inhibitor of estrogen-associated receptor alpha (ERR-alpha) that inhibits valve calcification in mouse models. Here, we designed a nanocarrier targeting osteoblast-differentiated valve interstitial cells (VICs) for targeted delivery of XCT790 to the calcified area. We stimulated osteogenic differentiated VICs with this targeting nanoparticle, and performed RNA-seq to assess transcriptional alterations of VICs and explore specific mechanisms. Human aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs) were cultured with growth medium, osteogenic differentiation medium, or osteogenic differentiation medium supplemented with XCT790-loaded nanoparticles for 6 days.