Loss of Axin2 results in impaired heart valve maturation and subsequent myxomatous valve disease. Cardiovasc Res 2017 Jan;113(1):40-51
Date
01/11/2017Pubmed ID
28069701Pubmed Central ID
PMC5220675DOI
10.1093/cvr/cvw229Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85015990228 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 54 CitationsAbstract
AIMS: Myxomatous valve disease (MVD) is the most common aetiology of primary mitral regurgitation. Recent studies suggest that defects in heart valve development can lead to heart valve disease in adults. Wnt/β-catenin signalling is active during heart valve development and has been reported in human MVD. The consequences of increased Wnt/β-catenin signalling due to Axin2 deficiency in postnatal valve remodelling and pathogenesis of MVD were determined.
METHODS AND RESULTS: To investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin signalling, we analysed heart valves from mice deficient in Axin2 (KO), a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signalling. Axin2 KO mice display enlarged mitral and aortic valves (AoV) after birth with increased Wnt/β-catenin signalling and cell proliferation, whereas Sox9 expression and collagen deposition are decreased. At 2 months in Axin2 KO mice, the valve extracellular matrix (ECM) is stratified but distal AoV leaflets remain thickened and develop aortic insufficiency. Progressive myxomatous degeneration is apparent at 4 months with extensive ECM remodelling and focal aggrecan-rich areas, along with increased BMP signalling. Infiltration of inflammatory cells is also observed in Axin2 KO AoV prior to ECM remodelling. Overall, these features are consistent with the progression of human MVD. Finally, Axin2 expression is decreased and Wnt/β-catenin signalling is increased in myxomatous mitral valves in a murine model of Marfan syndrome, supporting the importance of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in the development of MVD.
CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, these data indicate that Axin2 limits Wnt/β-catenin signalling after birth and allows proper heart valve maturation. Moreover, dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling resulting from loss of Axin2 leads to progressive MVD.
Author List
Hulin A, Moore V, James JM, Yutzey KEMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AggrecansAnimals
Aortic Valve
Aortic Valve Insufficiency
Axin Protein
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
Cell Proliferation
Collagen
Extracellular Matrix
Fibrillin-1
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Heart Defects, Congenital
Marfan Syndrome
Mice, Knockout
Mitral Valve
Mitral Valve Insufficiency
Morphogenesis
Mutation
Phenotype
SOX9 Transcription Factor
Wnt Signaling Pathway
