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. Overall design: 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.