Elastic fibers are essential constituents of the extracellular matrix of higher vertebrates and
endow several tissues and organs including lungs, skin and blood vessels with elasticity …

Large artery stiffness, as measured by pulse wave velocity, is correlated with high blood
pressure and may be a causative factor in essential hypertension. The extracellular matrix …

The extracellular matrix (ECM) consists of numerous macromolecules classified traditionally
into collagens, elastin, and microfibrillar proteins, proteoglycans including hyaluronan, and …

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 …

The sites and patterns of tortuosity are dependent on key anatomic factors. These include:•
Anatomic fixation—vascular elongation between 2 fixed points will give rise to tortuosity. 16 …

Biomaterials based upon elastin and elastin-derived molecules are increasingly
investigated for their application in tissue engineering. This interest is fuelled by the …

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of liver disease
worldwide. In adults with NAFLD, fibrosis can develop and progress to liver cirrhosis and …

Vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) play a crucial role in both the pathogenesis of
Aneurysms and Dissections of the ascending thoracic aorta (TAAD) in humans and in the …

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) increase the risk of aortic dissection or rupture and
represent an important source of morbidity and mortality. Inherited forms of the disease …

Fibulins are a newly recognized family of extracellular matrix proteins. The five known
members of the family share an elongated structure and many calcium-binding sites, owing …