Age-dependent phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells in the normal ascending aorta

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Ascending aortic aneurysms are associated with pre-existing conditions, including connective tissue disorders (i.e., Marfan syndrome) and bicuspid aortic valves. The underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. Even less is known regarding ascending aortic aneurysms in individuals with normal (i.e., tricuspid) aortic valves (TAV), and without known aneurysm-associated disorders. Regardless of etiology, the risk of aortic complications increases with biological age. Phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is a feature of ascending aortic aneurysms, whereby contractile SMCs are replaced with synthetic SMCs that are capable of degrading the aortic wall. We asked whether age itself causes dysfunctional SMC phenotype modulation, independent of aortic dilatation or pre

SUBMITTER:  

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9989028 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature