Cellular Mechanisms of Aortic Aneurysm Formation

• Authors: Raymundo Alain Quintana, Emory University; W. Robert Taylor, Emory University
• Journal Title: Circulation Research
• Volume: Volume 124, Number 4
• Publisher: American Heart Association (AHA) | 2019-02-15, Pages 607-618
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.313187
• Subjects: Biology, Cell; Engineering, Biomedical; Health Sciences, Pathology; Health Sciences, Immunology
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems; Hematology; Peripheral Vascular Disease; Cardiovascular System & Cardiology; aneurysm; animals; aorta; models, animal; pathophysiology; Vascular smooth muscle; Nitric oxide synthase; Human abdominal aorta; CD4(+) T-cells; Matrix metalloproteinases; Oxidative stress; Marfan syndrome; Intraluminal; Mast cells; Signals transduction

Abstract

Aortic aneurysms are a common vascular disease in Western populations that can involve virtually any portion of the aorta. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are much more common than thoracic aortic aneurysms and combined they account for >25 000 deaths in the United States annually. Although thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms share some common characteristics, including the gross anatomic appearance, alterations in extracellular matrix, and loss of smooth muscle cells, they are distinct diseases. In recent years, advances in genetic analysis, robust molecular tools, and increased availability of animal models have greatly enhanced our knowledge of the pathophysiology of aortic aneurysms. This review examines the various proposed cellular mechanisms responsible for aortic aneurysm formation and identifies opportunities for future studies.