SRY-Box Transcription Factor 18 Links Inflammation to Calcific Aortic Valve Progression via CD68 and NF-κB p65.

This study investigated SOX18's role in calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). Aortic valve specimens from 67 patients undergoing valve replacement were stratified into control (n = 18), mild (n = 20), and severe calcification (n = 29) groups based on Alizarin Red staining. Immunohistochemistry revealed SOX18 expression localized to valve interstitial cells (VICs), with significantly higher levels in calcified versus control valves (P < .001). Elevated SOX18 was particularly associated with the inflammatory factors CD68 and Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65, suggesting a potential link between SOX18, inflammation and CAVD progression. These findings highlight SOX18 as a possible mediator in valvular calcification.