Mechanism of CircANKRD36 regulating cell heterogeneity and endothelial mesenchymal transition in aortic valve stromal cells by regulating miR-599 and TGF-β signaling pathway

•CircANKRD36 can inhibit the expression of miR-599 and the activation of TGF-β signaling pathway•CircANKRD36 can inhibit the expression of differentiation-related factors of VIC osteogenesis•CircANKRD36 can inhibit the formation of calcified nodules•CircANKRD36-miR-599-TGF-β axis can be a new theoretical basis for treating CAVD.