Increased mesenchymal podoplanin expression is associated with calcification in aortic valves.

•Podoplanin expression is associated with aortic valve calcification.•Podoplanin expression is often seen tightly surrounding small calcifications.•Tricuspid valves have more calcification-associated podoplanin than bi/unicuspid valves.•Podoplanin may play a role in myofibroblast differentiation into osteoblastic phenotype.