Epigenetic control of vascular smooth muscle cells in Marfan and non-Marfan thoracic aortic aneurysms.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Human thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are characterized by extracellular matrix breakdown associated with progressive smooth muscle cell (SMC) rarefaction. These features are present in all types of TAA: monogenic forms [mainly Marfan syndrome (MFS)], forms associated with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), and degenerative forms. Initially described in a mouse model of MFS, the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad2 signalling pathway is now assumed to play a role in TAA of various aetiologies. However, the relation between the aetiological diversity and the common cell phenotype with respect to TGF-β signalling remains unexplained.

Methods and results

This study was performed on human aortic samples, including TAA [MFS, n = 14; BAV, n = 15; and degenerative, n = 19]

SUBMITTER: Gomez D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3020128 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature