Osteopontin-CD44v6 Interaction Mediates Calcium Deposition via Phospho-Akt in Valve Interstitial Cells From Patients With Noncalcified Aortic Valve Sclerosis

Osteopontin is a phosphorylated acidic glycoprotein that accumulates within the aortic leaflets and labels VIC activation even in noncalcified asymptomatic patients. Despite this, osteopontin protects VICs against in vitro calcification. Here, we hypothesize that the specific interaction of osteopontin with CD44v6, and the related intracellular pathway, prevents calcium deposition in human-derived VICs from patients with aortic valve sclerosis.