NF‐κB is activated by tumour necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) or TGF‐β [7, 8], secreted by monocytes/macrophages and causes an up‐regulation of interleukin 6 (IL‐6), which has been implicated in calcification of aortic valve leaflets in AS patients via BMP‐2 stimulation [9]. This evidence concerns the gene NFKB1 and aortic stenosis.