Deletion of type VIII collagen reduces blood pressure, increases carotid artery functional distensibility and promotes elastin deposition.

ABSTRACT: Arterial stiffening is a significant predictor of cardiovascular disease development and mortality. In elastic arteries, stiffening refers to the loss and fragmentation of elastic fibers, with a progressive increase in collagen fibers. Type VIII collagen (Col-8) is highly expressed developmentally, and then once again dramatically upregulated in aged and diseased vessels characterized by arterial stiffening. Yet its biophysical impact on the vessel wall remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that Col-8 functions as a matrix scaffold to maintain vessel integrity during extracellular matrix (ECM) development. These changes are predicted to persist into the adult vasculature, and we have tested this in our investigation. Through our in vivo and in vitr

SUBMITTER: Mohabeer AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8517381 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature