Cells of the vascular wall are exquisitely sensitive to changes in their mechanical
environment. In healthy vessels, mechanical forces regulate signaling and gene expression …

Aortic aneurysm is a vascular disease whereby the ECM (extracellular matrix) of a blood
vessel degenerates, leading to dilation and eventually vessel wall rupture. Recently, it was …

Biomechanical factors play fundamental roles in the natural history of abdominal aortic
aneurysms (AAAs) and their responses to treatment. Advances during the past two decades …

Soft biological tissues such as aortic walls can be viewed as fibrous composites assembled
by a ground matrix and embedded families of collagen fibres. Changes in the structural …

Cellular functions within tissues are strictly regulated by the tissue microenvironment which
comprises extracellular matrix and extracellular matrix‐deposited factors such as growth …

Human matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) belong to the M10 family of the MA clan of
endopeptidases. They are ubiquitarian enzymes, structurally characterized by an active site …

Geometric features of the aorta are linked to patient risk of rupture in the clinical decision to
electively repair an ascending aortic aneurysm (AsAA). Previous approaches have focused …

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are an important class of enzymes in the body that
function through the extracellular matrix (ECM). They are involved in diverse …

Intracranial saccular and abdominal aortic aneurysms (ISAs and AAAs, respectively) result
from different underlying disease processes and exhibit different rupture potentials, yet they …

Inflammation and fibrosis play an important role in the development and progression of
cardiovascular diseases. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is caused by rupture of inflamed …