Abstract
Heart valves have long been considered exclusively passive structures that open and close in response to changes in transvalvular pressure during the cardiac cycle. Although this is partly true, recent evidence suggests that valves are far more sophisticated structures. Microscopic examination of heart valves reveals a complex network of endothelial cells, interstitial cells, an extracellular matrix and a rich network of intrinsic nerves. The distribution of these nerve networks varies between the four valves, but is remarkably conserved between species. The present review will focus mainly on aortic valve innervation for several reasons: it is most commonly involved in disease processes, it lies in a unique hemodynamic environment and is exposed to extreme mechanical forces. These nerves are likely to play a significant role in the modulation of aortic valve structure and function and its adaptation to different hemodynamic and humoral conditions. The objectives of this review are first to describe the anatomy of aortic valve innervation, then detail the functional significance of innervation to the valve and finally make the case for the clinical relevance of understanding the neural control of aortic valves and its potential pharmacologic implications.
Keywords: Aortic valve, nerves, mechanical properties, calcification
Current Vascular Pharmacology
Title: Neuronal Regulation of Aortic Valve Cusps
Volume: 7 Issue: 1
Author(s): Ismail El-Hamamsy, Magdi H. Yacoub and Adrian H. Chester
Affiliation:
Keywords: Aortic valve, nerves, mechanical properties, calcification
Abstract: Heart valves have long been considered exclusively passive structures that open and close in response to changes in transvalvular pressure during the cardiac cycle. Although this is partly true, recent evidence suggests that valves are far more sophisticated structures. Microscopic examination of heart valves reveals a complex network of endothelial cells, interstitial cells, an extracellular matrix and a rich network of intrinsic nerves. The distribution of these nerve networks varies between the four valves, but is remarkably conserved between species. The present review will focus mainly on aortic valve innervation for several reasons: it is most commonly involved in disease processes, it lies in a unique hemodynamic environment and is exposed to extreme mechanical forces. These nerves are likely to play a significant role in the modulation of aortic valve structure and function and its adaptation to different hemodynamic and humoral conditions. The objectives of this review are first to describe the anatomy of aortic valve innervation, then detail the functional significance of innervation to the valve and finally make the case for the clinical relevance of understanding the neural control of aortic valves and its potential pharmacologic implications.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
El-Hamamsy Ismail, Yacoub H. Magdi and Chester H. Adrian, Neuronal Regulation of Aortic Valve Cusps, Current Vascular Pharmacology 2009; 7 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157016109787354088
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157016109787354088 |
Print ISSN 1570-1611 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6212 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
TREATMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN CHRONIC AND END STAGE KIDNEY DISEASE
Cardiovascular disease still remains the leading cause of death in Chronic and End Stage Kidney Disease, accounting for more than half of all deaths in dialysis patients. During the past decade, research has been focused on novel therapeutic agents that might delay or even reverse cardiovascular disease and vascular calcification, ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Update on the Rheumatologic Manifestations of Malignancy
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Drug-induced Cholelithiasis
Current Reviews in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology Novel Drug-Induced Pulmonary Complications in Cancer Patients You Can Save Life!
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Promising Protective Effects of Chrysin in Cardiometabolic Diseases
Current Drug Targets A Review of the Evidence for a Neuroendocrine Link Between Stress, Depression and Diabetes Mellitus
Current Diabetes Reviews Targeting Tumors with Small Molecule Peptides
Current Cancer Drug Targets Histotype in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Therapy and Staging: The Emerging Role of an Old and Underrated Factor
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Therapeutic Challenges in Neuroendocrine Tumors
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Inhibitors of 11β-Hydroxylase (CYP11B1) for Treating Diseases Related to Excess Cortisol
Current Medicinal Chemistry Advances in Peptide Pharmaceuticals
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology An Updated Patent Therapeutic Agents Targeting MMPs
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery The Radionuclide Molecular Imaging and Therapy of Neuroendocrine Tumors
Current Cancer Drug Targets Can PET Imaging Facilitate Optimization of Cancer Therapies?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Biological Roles of the Eclectic Chromogranin-A-derived Peptide Catestatin
Current Medicinal Chemistry Anesthesia for Bronchoscopy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Role of CCK/Gastrin Receptors in Gastrointestinal/Metabolic Diseases and Results of Human Studies Using Gastrin/CCK Receptor Agonists/Antagonists in these Diseases
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Blockade of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Type-1 Receptor with Cixutumumab (IMC-A12): A Novel Approach to Treatment for Multiple Cancers
Current Drug Targets Current Updates in the Medical Management of Obesity
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery (Discontinued) The Place of Somatostatin Analogs in the Diagnosis and Treatment of the Neuoroendocrine Glands Tumors
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery The Role of Hesperidin in Cell Signal Transduction Pathway for the Prevention or Treatment of Cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry