Aortic Valve Cyclic Stretch Causes Increased Remodeling Activity and Enhanced Serotonin Receptor Responsiveness

Porcine aortic valve cusp samples subjected to cyclic stretch upregulate 5HTR2A and 2B, and also initiate remodeling activity characterized by increased proliferation and collagen production. Importantly, enhanced 5HTR responsiveness due to increased 5HTR2A and 2B expression results in a significantly greater response in remodeling endpoints (proliferation, collagen, and GAG production) to 5HT in the presence of 5HT transporter blockade.