Functional Characterization of Fibronectin-Separated Valve Interstitial Cell Subpopulations in Three-Dimensional Culture

Background Myxomatous mitral valves (MVs) contain elevated proportions of myofibroblasts, a valve interstitial cell (VIC) subpopulation likely important in disease pathogenesis. We recently developed a novel technique for the isolation of VIC myofibroblasts using time dependent adhesion to fibronectin (FN). Cells that quickly adhere to FN (“FAST”) demonstrate myofibroblast cell phenotype markers, in contrast to cells that fail to adhere after a longer time (“SLOW”). The aim of this study was to characterize the functionality of these subpopulations using 3D collagen constructs.