Key result
Expression levels of GLP1R, PCSK9, and SGLT2 were significantly elevated in human aortic valve tissues compared to mitral valve tissues.
Why the study?
Calcific aortic valve disease is common and lacks effective pharmacological treatments, motivating comparison of GLP1R, PCSK9, and SGLT2 expression across valve tissues.
Cross-Sectional (n=23)
Single-blind
No
GLP1R, PCSK9, and SGLT2 are differentially expressed between human aortic and mitral valves, with higher expression in aortic valves, though CAVD-specific upregulation was not established.
Should not yet change CAVD practice; leaves open therapeutic potential of GLP1R, PCSK9, and SGLT2 targeting.
Background Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a common valvular heart disorder for which effective pharmacological treatments remain lacking. This study aimed to compare the expression and potential pathophysiological relevance of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) in human aortic valve (AV) and mitral valve (MV) tissues from patients undergoing valve replacement surgery. Methods Surgically resected AV ( n = 10) and MV ( n = 13) tissue specimens were collected between March 2020 and December 2022. Target protein expression was assessed via immunohistochemistry (IHC), and valvular calcification was confirmed by Von Kossa staining. Subgroup analyses were performed within calcified vs. non-calcified AV tissues and within a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) subset ( n = 3 per group). Results GLP1R, PCSK9, and SGLT2 expression levels were significantly elevated in AV tissues compared to MV tissues (all P < 0.001). Within calcified AV specimens, expression trends were higher than in non-calcified AV tissues, though these differences did not reach statistical difference (all P > 0.05). In the exploratory BAV subgroup ( n = 3 per group), expression of all three targets was higher in calcified vs. non-calcified tissues (all P < 0.05). Conclusion These findings reflect differential expression between anatomically distinct valve types and do not establish CAVD-specific upregulation.
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Cheng et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Calcific aortic valve disease (n=23). Aortic valve tissue vs. Mitral valve tissue was evaluated on Expression levels of GLP1R, PCSK9, and SGLT2 (p=<0.001). Expression levels of GLP1R, PCSK9, and SGLT2 were significantly elevated in human aortic valve tissues compared to mitral valve tissues.
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