Collagens are the most abundant components of the extracellular matrix and many types of
soft tissues. Elastin is another major component of certain soft tissues, such as arterial walls …

Thoracic aortic aneurysm is a potentially life-threatening condition in that it places patients at
risk for aortic dissection or rupture. However, our modern understanding of the pathogenesis …

Aortic aneurysm is common, accounting for 1–2% of all deaths in industrialized countries.
Early theories of the causes of human aneurysm mostly focused on inherited or acquired …

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP-2) transcription factor has been
identified as a key protein in cholesterol metabolism through the transactivation of the LDL …

The cytokine transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) has multiple effects in both
physiological and pathological conditions. TGF-β is secreted as part of a tripartite complex …

Fibrillin microfibrils are extensible polymers that endow connective tissues with long-range
elasticity and have widespread distributions in both elastic and non-elastic tissues. They act …

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) family oxidases, LOX and LOXL1-4, oxidize lysine residues in
collagens and elastin, resulting in the covalent crosslinking and stabilization of these …

Elastic fibers are extracellular components of higher vertebrates and confer elasticity and
resilience to numerous tissues and organs such as large blood vessels, lungs, and skin …

Thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD) represent a substantial cause of
morbidity and mortality worldwide. Many individuals presenting with an inherited form of …

Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is a highly lethal vascular disease. In many patients with
TAD, the aorta progressively dilates and ultimately ruptures. Dissection formation …