Collagen Biosynthesis by Aortic Valve Interstitial Cells in Response to Mechanical Load

The aim of this project was to conduct an initial study to investigate the effects of magnitude, and type, of the mechanical loads on the rate and turnover of collagen biosynthesis of the Aortic Valve Interstitial Cells (AVICs). The idea was to isolate the AVICs from the native (porcine) valve and encapsulate the cells within 3D gel constructs, subsequently subject the cell constructs to various static and dynamic compressive/tensile loads. After the loading phase was accomplished, then the constructs would undergo enzymatic digestion and electrophoresis, followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis to evaluate the expressions for collagen genes.

This project was a pilot exploratory investigation, and served to establish the laboratory protocols and pilot data required to carryout large scale investigation of this kind. Upon the completion of this project, the PI used the pilot data and the evidence of feasibility of this study to apply for a QR Faculty grant, which led to the successful establishment of the Cardiovascular Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) in the School of Engineering in 2016.