Fig. 1
From: Models for calcific aortic valve disease in vivo and in vitro
Different types of in vitro CAVD models. The most straightforward, but challenging, approach is to isolate calcified aortic valves from CAVD patients or animals. Alternatively, healthy valves can be induced using osteogenic medium. VICs and VECs are more common cell types used for in vitro CAVD modeling. These cells, isolated from healthy animals or differentiated from hiPSCs, are then treated with osteogenic or myofibrotic medium to mimic the pathophysiological processes of CAVD. In addition, 3D culture systems including micropatterns, microfluidic devices, bioreactors, hydrogels, and scaffolds can be employed to mimic the aortic valve structure, function, and complex environmental stresses associated with CAVD