Deficiency of CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) prevents diet‐induced aortic valve calcification in vivo

Aortic valve (AoV) calcification is common in aged populations. Its subsequent aortic stenosis has been linked with increased morbidity, but still has no effective pharmacological intervention. Our previous data show endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is involved in AoV calcification. Here, we investigated whether deficiency of ER stress downstream effector CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein homology protein (CHOP) may prevent development of AoV calcification. AoV calcification was evaluated in Apoe(−/−) mice (n = 10) or in mice with dual deficiencies of ApoE and CHOP (Apoe(−/−) CHOP (−/−), n = 10) fed with Western diet for 24 weeks. Histological and echocardiographic analysis showed that genetic ablation of CHOP attenuated AoV calcification, pro‐calcification signaling activation, and apoptosis in the leaflets of Apoe(−/−) mice. In cultured human aortic valvular interstitial cells (VIC), we found oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (oxLDL) promoted apoptosis and osteoblastic differentiation of VIC via CHOP activation. Using conditioned media (CM) from oxLDL‐treated VIC, we further identified that oxLDL triggered osteoblastic differentiation of VIC via paracrine pathway, while depletion of apoptotic bodies (ABs) in CM suppressed the effect. CM from oxLDL‐exposed CHOP‐silenced cells prevented osteoblastic differentiation of VIC, while depletion of ABs did not further enhance this protective effect. Overall, our study indicates that CHOP deficiency protects against Western diet‐induced AoV calcification in Apoe(−/−) mice. CHOP deficiency prevents oxLDL‐induced VIC osteoblastic differentiation via preventing VIC‐derived ABs releasing.