title: The role of TNF-α and TNF superfamily members in the pathogenesis of calcific aortic valvular disease.
abstract: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) represents a slowly progressive pathologic process associated with major morbidity and mortality. The process is characterized by multiple steps: inflammation, fibrosis, and calcification. Numerous studies focalized on its physiopathology highlighting different "actors" for the multiple "acts." This paper focuses on the role of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) members in the pathogenesis of CAVD. In particular, we discuss the clinical and experimental studies providing evidence of the involvement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL), its membrane receptor RANK and its decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG), and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in valvular calcification.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Emergencies and Organ Transplantation (DETO), University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galeone
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paparella
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Colucci
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grano
authors.forename: Giacomina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brunetti
mesh_terms: D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000503:physiopathology; D000082882:Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease; D002114:Calcinosis; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha