Expression of COLLAGEN 1 and ELASTIN genes in mitral valvular interstitial cells within microfiber reinforced hydrogel

ABSTRACT

Objective: The incidence of heart valve disease is increasing worldwide and the number of heart valve replacements is expected to increase in the future. By mimicking the main tissue structures and properties of heart valve, tissue engineering offers new options for the replacements. Applying an appropriate scaffold in fabricating tissue-engineered heart valves [TEHVs] is of importance since it affects the secretion of the main extracellular matrix [ECM] components, collagen 1 and elastin, which are crucial in providing the proper mechanical properties of TEHVs