Heart Valve Diseases: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Implications

Heart valve diseases (HVD) are considered a serious global health problem, with the aortic and mitral valve being the most common in HVD. Around 41 million people have HVD and its prevalence is expected to increase due to the ageing of the population. Although HVD is a common condition associated with major morbidity, mortality and health economic costs, there are currently no medical interventions capable of delaying or halting its progression. Despite male sex being a risk factor for developing HVD, there is scant information on sex-specific differences in valve biology or pathology. Molecular, cellular and interstitial events activate multifactorial and complex cues with a significant contribution by valve interstitial (VIC) and endothelial (VEC) cells. Re-evaluation of the underlying pathophysiology is therefore required so that novel therapeutic strategies can be developed targeting sex-specific pathways. These events highlight the critical need to develop an understanding of the pathobiology of HVD in depth and explore clinical approaches to an early detection.

The special research topic aims to better understanding on the cellular mechanisms involved in the development of HVD as well as new therapeutic and pharmacological targets to prevent/reverse the progression of these pathological conditions as well as identifying sex differences.

In order to provide a comprehensive overview of HVD, the aim of this topic is to gather basic and translational science that explore the mechanisms underlying HVD. Studies that reveal novel risk factors and development of therapeutic alternatives are encouraged and a special focus will be given to recent findings suggesting divergent cellular sex-dependent mechanisms of HVD. We intend to persuade more researchers to join the field and welcome original research, brief research reports, review and mini-review manuscripts.