Project description:We explored the hypothesis that Serotonin (5HT) receptor signaling, that can be enhanced with 5HT transporter blockade with Fluoxetine (Fluox), in the aortic valve may vary based upon the biomechanical activity of the aortic valve leaflet. We used Affymetrix microarrays to study gene expression profiling of Porcine Aortic Valves (PAV) incubated under organ culture conditions for 24 hours in either a static state or with 10% cyclic stretch, simulating physiologic leaflet motion. PAV in the bioreactor with or without stretch were exposed to 5HT along or the combination 5HT plus Fluox. Fresh porcine aortic valves were obtained from a local abattoir. The three leaflets were excised from each valve and a rectangular section of tissue 15x10 mm was isolated from the central region of each valve cusp. These samples were randomized and assigned to one of four groups. The experimental groups were: 1) Static conditions with no agents added; 2) Cyclic stretch conditions with no agents added; 3) Static conditions with 5HT plus Fluox added; and 4) Cyclic stretch conditions with 5HT plus Fluox added.
Project description:We explored the hypothesis that Serotonin (5HT) receptor signaling, that can be enhanced with 5HT transporter blockade with Fluoxetine (Fluox), in the aortic valve may vary based upon the biomechanical activity of the aortic valve leaflet. We used Affymetrix microarrays to study gene expression profiling of Porcine Aortic Valves (PAV) incubated under organ culture conditions for 24 hours in either a static state or with 10% cyclic stretch, simulating physiologic leaflet motion. PAV in the bioreactor with or without stretch were exposed to 5HT along or the combination 5HT plus Fluox.
Project description:Fewer than 50% of patients develop vascular and valvular calcification, implying differential pathogenesis. Disease stage-specific proteomics (normal/non-diseased/fibrotic/calcified areas) was performed on human carotid artery specimens from autopsy, carotid endarterectomy specimens, aortic valves from heart transplant recipients, and stenotic aortic valves.
Project description:To optimize the genome annotation, nine tissue and one pool RNA libraries (i.e. heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, muscle, fat, ovary, pool.) were constructed using the Illumina mRNA-spleeneq Prep Kit