Smooth Muscle α-Actin Expression in Mitral Valve Interstitial Cells is Important for Mediating Extracellular Matrix Remodeling.

Together, our data show that in VICs, SMA, an actin binding protein, is important for mediating ECM remodeling associated with phenotypes observed in myxomatous degeneration, and its expression is regulated by mechanical tension. These novel insights could inform the development of future non-surgical therapeutics to halt the progression of mitral valve degeneration thereby avoiding end-stage prolapse.