Molecular medicine reports
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Chronic inflammation and the calcification of aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs) are the primary etiologies of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). However, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. The present study investigated the importance of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) via toll‑like receptor 4 (TLR4) for the regulation of inflammation and calcification in AVICs. ⋯ In addition, calcification was inhibited by TLR4-specific antibodies in primary AVICs. HMGB1 induced the activation of p38 and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in TLR4‑/‑ primary AVICs, and inhibited p38 and NF‑κB in wild‑type AVICs treated with TLR4‑specific antibodies. The present study demonstrated that TLR4 may function as an essential mediator of HMGB1‑induced calcification and in the activation of p38 and NF-κB.