Grant: Project Grant

Aortic valve calcification is most prevalent in elderly patients, affecting approximately 2.5% of individuals from 65 to 74 years old and 48% of individuals over 84 years old. Even in the absence of valvular stenosis, aortic valve calcification is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality from cardiovascular causes, which is alarming given that there are no known treatments to avoid or slow its development. Although extensive research has been devoted to understanding the relationship between blood levels of lipids and cardiovascular diseases, only recent genetic population studies have pointed to a potentially important role for one lipid protein named [Lp(a)] in aortic valve disease. Here, we hypothesized that Lp(a) in combination with oxidized lipids increase cell death and mineralization of human aortic valve cells. Therefore, we plan to use cells, animal models and newly developed drugs to establish the contribution of this molecule to the disease process. Interfering with Lp(a) pathway could therefore ameliorate aortic valve calcification and lead to a novel therapeutic targets for this debilitating disease.