Osteopontin is associated with bioprosthetic heart valve calcification in humans

Calcification of non-osseous tissues such as heart valves or vessels is a major concern in clinical practice. The exact mechanism is still unknown. Numerous studies have shown that mineral deposits of crystalline hydroxyapatite within these tissues were associated with increased non-collagenous protein content. More recently osteopontin was found to be associated with calcification in living tissues such as vessels and native human aortic valves. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not non-collagenous proteins can also be found in non-living tissues such as glutaraldehyde-pretreated porcine valves after implantation in humans. Thirty-eight glutaraldehyde pretreated porcine bioprostheses were studied: 16 not implanted and 22 after 11 years of implantation in the aortic and mitral valve position in humans In areas of calcification vizualized by Von Kossa staining and microradiography, immunostaining using polyclonal antibodies against calcium-binding proteins showed osteopontin staining for osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein or osteonectin. In uncalcified areas and in non-implanted valves, staining for osteopontin or other calcium-binding proteins was negative. Western blot analysis of macroscopically calcified and uncalcified areas showed that several proteins were adsorbed in implanted valves and confirmed the presence of osteopontin in the calcified areas, while no immunolabelling was found in non-calcified areas, in uncalcified valves and in non-implanted valves. Thus the presence of osteopontin in the calcified areas of bioprosthetic heart valves implanted in human indicates that this protein is associated with bioprosthetic valvular calcification. Since these valves are made of non-living connective tissue, and no cell immunostained for osteopontin was found around the calcified area, this study suggests that a non-cellular mediated mechanism involving protein adsorption may play a role in bioprosthetic valvular calcification.