TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor-β) Signaling Protects the Thoracic and Abdominal Aorta From Angiotensin II-Induced Pathology by Distinct Mechanisms.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The role of TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β) signaling in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation is controversial. Others reported that systemic blockade of TGF-β by neutralizing antibodies accelerated AAA development in angiotensin II-infused mice. This result is consistent with other studies suggesting that TGF-β signaling prevents AAA. Development of a therapy for AAA that exploits the protective actions of TGF-β would be facilitated by identification of the mechanisms through which TGF-β prevents AAA. We hypothesized that TGF-β signaling prevents AAA by its actions on aortic medial smooth muscle cells.

Approach and results

We compared the prevalence, severity, and histopathology of angiotensin II-induced AAA among control mice (no TGF-β blockade), mice w

SUBMITTER: Angelov SN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5658248 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature