Lipopolysaccharide Stimulation of Human Aortic Valve Interstitial Cells Activates Inflammation and Osteogenesis

The LPS stimulation of HAVICs not only induces inflammatory mediators but also induces gene expression of osteogenic factors, similar to that induced by osteogenic media. Bacterial products stimulation, likely by toll-like receptor 4 and the innate immune system, may contribute to the pathogenesis of aortic valve stenosis.