Aim To establish valve calcification model , Human heart valve interstitial cells (hVICs) were cultured in vitro and induced by calcification liquid, observing the expression of Notch1 protein , apoptosis in the process of hVICs calcification and revealing the role of Notch1 protein in the relationship between hVICs apoptosis and calcification.Methods hVICs were randomly divided into two groups, the experimental group were treated with calcification induced liquid (beta glycerol phosphoric acid, ascorbic acid, dexamethasone, recombinant type human bone morphogenetic protein 2) to establish the models of calcification, hVICs were stimulated by calcification liquid for 1day, 3days, 5days, 7days ; Control group was cultured with normal culture medium, all hVICs were cultured for 7 days, then detecting the number of calcification nodule ,the expression of BMP-4, Notch1 and the Apoptosis rates of hVICs. Calcification induced cells in experimental group were randomly divided into three groups and cultured in vitro for 3 days, the lipopolysaccharide group (LPS), the Notch1 inhibitor group (γ secretase inhibitor, DAPT), and the control group ( treated with calcification induced liquid). The expression of BMP-4, Notch1, Cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3(Caspase3)were determined.Results The expression of Notch1 protein and cell calcification in experimental group were higher than control group and increased along with the induced days. The rate of cell apoptosis was the highest at the third day, then there was a gradual downward trend. Cell apoptosis and calcification in LPS group were aggravated with the increased expression of Notch1 compared with control group. In DAPT group compared with the control, cell apoptosis and calcification were reduced. Conclusion The relationship between apoptosis and calcification are close, Notch1 protein plays an important role in the relationship between apoptosis and calcification of hVICs.