title: Isolation and culture of rat aortic valve interstitial cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Culturing aortic valve interstitial cells is a useful way to investigate the physiology and pathology of the aortic valve at the cellular level. The culture methods of the cells have been established in many species. However, the previous methods need some improvements.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated various techniques with regard to the isolation of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat aortic valve interstitial cells and established suitable conditions about the culture and passage of the primary cells. The specimens from the aortic valve were processed by tissue explant methods before seeding them onto the dishes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cells obtained emerged from the explants after 2 to 3 days and stained positive for α-SMA and vimentin protein. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy images showed that the cells had abundant mitochondria, prominent rough endoplasmic reticulum, and plentiful myofilaments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present study, we provided reliable and efficient methods for the isolation and culture of rat aortic valve interstitial cells that could serve for in vitro studies on aortic valve physiology and pathophysiology.
authors: Department of Cardiology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang; Hebei-China. cuiwei@medmail.com.cn.
authors: Huiqiang
authors: H
authors: Chen
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Cui
authors: Haijuan
authors: H
authors: Hu
authors: Jing
authors: J
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000166:cytology*; D060846:Cell Engineering; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley