Glycosaminoglycan profiles of myxomatous mitral leaflets and chordae parallel the severity of mechanical alterations.
OBJECTIVE
This biochemical study compared the extracellular matrix of normal mitral valves and myxomatous mitral valves with either unileaflet prolapse (ULP) or bileaflet prolapse (BLP).


BACKGROUND
Myxomatous mitral valves are weaker and more extensible than normal valves, and myxomatous chordae are more mechanically compromised than leaflets. Despite histological evidence that glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) accumulate in myxomatous valves, previous biochemical analyses have not adequately examined the different GAG classes.


METHODS
Leaflets and chordae from myxomatous valves (n = 41 ULP, 31 BLP) and normal valves (n = 27) were dried, dissolved, and assayed for deoxyribonucleic acid, collagen, and total GAGs. Specific GAG classes were analyzed with selective enzyme digestions and fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis.


RESULTS
Biochemical changes were more pronounced in chordae than in leaflets. Myxomatous leaflets and chordae had 3% to 9% more water content and 30% to 150% higher GAG concentrations than normal. Collagen concentration was slightly elevated in the myxomatous valves. Chordae from ULP had 62% more GAGs than those from BLP, primarily from elevated levels of hyaluronan and chondroitin-6-sulfate.


CONCLUSIONS
The GAG classes elevated in the myxomatous chordae are associated with matrix microstructure and elastic fiber deficiencies and may influence the hydration-related "floppy" nature of these tissues. These abnormalities may be related to the reported mechanical weakness of myxomatous chordae. The biochemical differences between ULP and BLP confirm previous mechanical and echocardiographic distinctions.
Grande-Allen
K Jane
KJ
Biomedical Engineering, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. vesely@bme.ri.ccf.org
Griffin
Brian P
BP
Ratliff
Norman B
NB
Cosgrove
Delos M
DM
Vesely
Ivan
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002815:Chordae Tendineae; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D019245:Compressive Strength; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D004452:Echocardiography; D004586:Electrophoresis; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000150:complications*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve; D008945:Mitral Valve Prolapse / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D009232:Myxoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000150:complications*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013718:Tensile Strength
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D003094:Collagen; D004247:DNA