Klinik für Kardiologie
 
Arbeitsgruppen
 
Klinik für Kardiologie / Forschung
 
 
Research Lab - Florian Schlotter, MD
 
Valvular Heart Disease Biology

Valvular heart disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and mechanisms of preservation and restoration of valvular homeostasis are incompletely understood. Valvular homeostasis is governed by a distinct cell population - valvular interstitial cells (VICs). VICs actively modify the valves' extracellular matrix (ECM) to maintain integrity of the valvular function under dynamic physiological conditions. Exposed to pathological stressors, VICs undergo differentiation to form contractile and ECM modifying myofibroblastic and calcification-producing osteoblast-like phenotypes resulting in progressive fibrosis and accumulation of mineral in the heart valves, ultimately necessitating valve replacement due to severe narrowing of the orifice (i.e. stenosis).
Identification and characterization of the valvular cell populations can reveal new alleys towards the diagnosis and treatment of valvular heart disease and inform the design of optimal replacement crafts.

Publications on Pubmed

       
 

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Aktuelles
 
 13.01.2024 -
4. Leipziger Herzinsuffizienz-Symposium
 
 
 22.02.2024 - 24.02.2024
16. Deutsche Kardiodiagnostik-Tage
 
 
 22.03.2024 - 23.03.2024
Kardiovaskuläre Frühjahrstagung
 
 
Klinik für Kardiologie