An endothelial cell that lines a surface of a cardiac valve leaflet. Along with valve interstitial cells, a valve endothelial cell maintains tissue homeostasis for the function of cardiac valves through secreting biochemical signals, matrix proteins and matrix remodeling enzymes. [ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25311230 ]
Synonyms: VEC valvular endothelial cell
Term information
At least in some mammalian species, a valve endothelial cell expresses CD31. Valve endothelial cells can undergo an endothelial to mesenchymal transition to acquire a fibroblast or myofibroblast phenotype that leads to changes in the microenvironmental signals and facilitates tissue regeneration.