Macrophages Promote Aortic Valve Cell Calcification and Alter STAT3 Splicing

Objective: Macrophages have been described in calcific aortic valve disease, but it is unclear if they promote or counteract calcification. We aimed to determine how macrophages are involved in calcification using the Notch1 +/− model of calcific aortic valve disease. Approach and Results: Macrophages in wild-type and Notch1 +/− murine aortic valves were characterized by flow cytometry. Macrophages in Notch1 +/− aortic valves had increased...