Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Tongtong Ye, Guangdong Zhang, Hangyu Liu, Junfeng Shi, Hongyan Qiu, Yongping Liu, Fang Han, Ningning Hou
Summary: PVAT plays a critical role in the development of AAAs and may serve as a therapeutic target.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Joscha Mulorz, Joshua M. Spin, Pireyatharsheny Mulorz, Markus Wagenhaeuser, Alicia Deng, Karin Mattern, Yae H. Rhee, Kensuke Toyama, Matti Adam, Hubert Schelzig, Lars Maegdefessel, Philip S. Tsao
Summary: This study found that the use of electronic cigarettes with nicotine can increase the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms and induce inflammation and the production of reactive oxygen species in the body. Furthermore, the study identified a key factor, CHI3L1/Chil1, in the development of e-cigarette-induced aneurysms.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Laura Lopez-Sanz, Susana Bernal, Luna Jimenez-Castilla, Ignacio Prieto, Sara La Manna, Sergio Gomez-Lopez, Luis Miguel Blanco-Colio, Jesus Egido, Jose Luis Martin-Ventura, Carmen Gomez-Guerrero
Summary: Research has shown that overexpression of FcγR has been detected in abdominal aortic aneurysm lesions, and inhibiting FcγR signaling molecules can reduce AAA development, restore inflammatory responses and vascular wall injury, potentially serving as therapeutic targets for AAA disease.
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel Koerfer, Philipp Erhart, Susanne Dihlmann, Maani Hakimi, Dittmar Boeckler, Andreas S. Peters
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the histopathological differences in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) between patients with multiple and single arterial aneurysms. The study found that IL-1 beta was significantly more present in the tunica media in patients with multiple arterial aneurysms compared to those with a single AAA. This suggests that inflammatory processes play a role in aneurysm formation in patients with multiple arterial aneurysms.
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Ryohei Shinohara, Hitomi Nakashima, Takuo Emoto, Tomoya Yamashita, Yoshihiro Saito, Naofumi Yoshida, Taishi Inoue, Katsuhiro Yamanaka, Kenji Okada, Ken-ichi Hirata
Summary: This study found that the gut microbiota plays a critical role in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and inhibiting the microbiota could be a therapeutic approach for AAA.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Chongyang Zhang, Amy Mohan, Hangchuan Shi, Chen Yan
Summary: This study investigated the effect of sildenafil on experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The results showed that sildenafil application aggravated aortic wall dilation and elastin degradation, potentially worsening the progression of AAA. The study also found that sildenafil dysregulated cGMP and contractile signaling in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in AAA.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Petroula Nana, Konstantinos Dakis, Alexandros Brodis, Konstantinos Spanos, George Kouvelos
Summary: A systematic review examined the correlation of abdominal aortic aneurysm expansion rates with serum circulating biomarkers, identifying specific biomarkers potentially useful for individualized surveillance of patients with increased AAA growth rates. Various biomarkers, including D-dimers, LDL-C, HDL-C, and genetic factors, were found to be significantly associated with AAA growth rates, suggesting a potential role for serum biomarkers in patient monitoring.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Surgery
Nicholas De Leo, Atlee Melillo, Ping Zhang, Jeremy Badach, Henry Miller, Andrew Lin, John Williamson, Gaby Ghobrial, J. Gaughan, Vaishali Krishnadoss, Iman Noshadi, Spencer A. Brown, Jeffrey P. Carpenter
Summary: The study successfully established a reliable swine model of AAA, using extraluminal enzymatic degradation, with anatomical, histopathological, and biomechanical properties that can be clinically translatable.
JOURNAL OF SURGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
John Anagnostakos, Brajesh K. Lal
Summary: Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are common in older adults and can lead to serious morbidity and mortality if not treated promptly. The causes include trauma, infection, and inflammatory disorders, with risk factors such as smoking, advanced age, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The pathophysiology involves arterial insult leading to inflammation and weakening of the arterial wall, requiring monitoring of size and growth rate to prevent rupture. Management options include controlling risk factors, surgical intervention based on risk assessment, and post-operative monitoring for complications. Advancements in technology have improved the diagnosis and treatment of AAA in recent years.
PROGRESS IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Likun Sun, Xin Li, Zhongchen Luo, Maohua Li, Hongyu Liu, Zhaowei Zhu, Junwei Wang, Peng Lu, Lunchang Wang, Chenzi Yang, Tun Wang, Hao He, Ming Li, Chang Shu, Jiehua Li
Summary: The purinergic receptor P2X7 plays a crucial role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development by modulating macrophage pyroptosis and inflammation. P2X7 is highly expressed in human AAA specimens and experimental murine AAA lesions. Inhibition or deficiency of P2X7 attenuates aneurysm formation in experimental murine models, while its activation promotes AAA development. Mechanistically, macrophage P2X7 activates the NLRP3 inflammasome and its downstream caspase-1 to initiate the pyroptosis pathway.
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Tejas P. P. Singh, Joseph V. V. Moxon, T. Christian Gasser, Jason Jenkins, Michael Bourke, Benard Bourke, Jonathan Golledge
Summary: The aim of this study was to assess the association between aortic peak wall stress (PWS) and peak wall rupture index (PWRI) and the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture or repair (AAA events). PWS and PWRI were estimated from computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans of 210 participants with small AAAs. After a median follow-up of 2.0 years, it was found that both PWS and PWRI were significantly associated with a higher risk of AAA events. Furthermore, PWRI significantly improved the risk stratification compared to aortic diameter alone.
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Frank M. Davis, William J. Melvin, Kevin Mangum, Lam C. Tsoi, Amrita D. Joshi, Qing Cai, Peter K. Henke, Johann E. Gudjonsson, Katherine A. Gallagher
Summary: The study reveals that SETDB2 plays a critical role in the development of AAAs by regulating macrophage-mediated extracellular matrix degradation, highlighting it as a potential therapeutic target for AAAs management.
Article
Surgery
Sydney L. Olson, Annalise M. Panthofer, William Blackwelder, Michael L. Terrin, John A. Curci, B. Timothy Baxter, Fred A. Weaver, Jon S. Matsumura
Summary: This study examines the predictors of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) volume growth and finds that baseline volume, tortuosity, maximum transverse diameter (MTD), current tobacco use, angiotensin II receptor blocker use, and history of diabetes mellitus are predictive of volume growth over time.
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Preetha Shridas, Ailing Ji, Andrea C. Trumbauer, Victoria P. Noffsinger, Steve W. Leung, Adam J. Dugan, Sean E. Thatcher, Lisa A. Cassis, Frederick C. de Beer, Nancy R. Webb, Lisa R. Tannock
Summary: This study demonstrates that deficiency of serum amyloid A (SAA) protects obese mice from angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). SAA expression specifically in adipocytes is sufficient to cause and enhance AAA in obese mice infused with Ang II.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anja Hofmann, Bianca Hamann, Anna Klimova, Margarete Mueglich, Steffen Wolk, Albert Busch, Frieda Frank, Pamela Sabarstinski, Marvin Kapalla, Josef Albin Nees, Coy Brunssen, David M. Poitz, Henning Morawietz, Christian Reeps
Summary: Diuretics show the strongest association with HO-1 expression. The combination of ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and beta-blockers with diuretics is also associated with an increase in HO-1 mRNA expression. Statin therapy is negatively correlated with HO-1 expression.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sebastian Cremer, Katharina M. Michalik, Ariane Fischer, Larissa Pfisterer, Nicolas Jae, Carla Winter, Reinier A. Boon, Marion Muhly-Reinholz, David John, Shizuka Uchida, Christian Weber, Wolfgang Poller, Stefan Guenther, Thomas Braun, Daniel Y. Li, Lars Maegdefessel, Ljubica Perisic Matic, Ulf Hedin, Oliver Soehnlein, Andreas Zeiher, Stefanie Dimmeler
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Eva Karlof, Till Seime, Nuno Dias, Mariette Lengquist, Anna Witasp, Hakan Almqvist, Malin Kronqvist, Jesper R. Gadin, Jacob Odeberg, Lars Maegdefessel, Peter Stenvinkel, Ljubica Perisic Matic, Ulf Hedin
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Francesca Fasolo, Karina Di Gregoli, Lars Maegdefessel, Jason L. Johnson
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2019)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Zhi-yuan Wu, Matthias Trenner, Reinier A. Boon, Joshua M. Spin, Lars Maegdefessel
Article
Hematology
Andrew J. Buckler, Eva Karlof, Mariette Lengquist, T. Christian Gasser, Lars Maegdefessel, Ljubica Perisic Matic, Ulf Hedin
Summary: This feasibility study aimed to decode the molecular phenotype of atherosclerotic plaques through analysis of computed-tomography angiography images, using machine intelligence to predict gene expression based on plaque morphology. The results showed that image analysis of conventional computed-tomography angiography can elucidate the molecular signature of atherosclerotic lesions, providing promise for optimized personalized therapy in the prevention of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Valentina Paloschi, Maria Sabater-Lleal, Heleen Middelkamp, Aisen Vivas, Sofia Johansson, Andries van der Meer, Maria Tenje, Lars Maegdefessel
Summary: The development of organ-on-chip technology has greatly advanced the simulation of human physiology and pathophysiology, leading to a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms and offering valuable assets for personalized cardiovascular medicine and improved patient care in the future.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ping Gao, Pan Gao, Jinjing Zhao, Shengshuai Shan, Wei Luo, Orazio J. Slivano, Wei Zhang, Akiko Tabuchi, Scott A. LeMaire, Lars Maegdefessel, Ying H. Shen, Joseph M. Miano, Harold A. Singer, Xiaochun Long
Summary: The study demonstrated the critical role of MKL1 in AAA, showing that its deficiency can reduce the risk of AAA formation and aortic rupture, as well as decrease aging and pro-inflammatory effects in the vessel wall and VSMCs. This research revealed a molecular pathway of AAA formation involving MKL1/p38MAPK stimulation, suggesting that targeting the MKL1/p38MAPK pathway may be an effective treatment for AAA.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Gabor Gabel, Bernd H. Northoff, Amanda Balboa, Mediha Becirovic-Agic, Marcelo Petri, Albert Busch, Lars Maegdefessel, Adrian Mahlmann, Stefan Ludwig, Daniel Teupser, Vivian de Waard, Jonathan Golledge, Anders Wanhainen, Dick Wagsater, Lesca M. Holdt, Jan H. N. Lindeman
Summary: Through comparing clinical AAA disease with its two models, genomic similarities were found between clinical AAA disease and the AngII model, suggesting that the metabolic response may causatively be involved in AAA progression and providing a novel therapeutic target. The porcine pancreatic elastase model was classified as a disease initiation model, showing a clear transient genomic response.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Till Seime, Asim Cengiz Akbulut, Moritz Lindquist Liljeqvist, Antti Siika, Hong Jin, Greg Winski, Rick H. van Gorp, Eva Karlof, Mariette Lengquist, Andrew J. Buckler, Malin Kronqvist, Olivia J. Waring, Jan H. N. Lindeman, Erik A. L. Biessen, Lars Maegdefessel, Anton Razuvaev, Leon J. Schurgers, Ulf Hedin, Ljubica Matic
Summary: Calcification is a key feature of late-stage atherosclerosis, and recent research has shown that the expression of PRG4 is correlated with vascular remodeling and intimal calcification. Experimental models suggest that PRG4 plays a role in SMC function and osteogenic phenotype, impacting atherosclerotic plaque stability. Further investigations are needed to better understand the mechanisms behind PRG4's effects on calcification and SMC behavior.
Article
Surgery
Aaron Becker von Rose, Kathrin Kobus, Bianca Bohmann, Moritz Lindquist-Lilljequist, Wolf Eilenberg, Florian Bassermann, Christian Reeps, Hans-Henning Eckstein, Matthias Trenner, Lars Maegdefessel, Christoph Neumayer, Christine Brostjan, Joy Roy, Rebecka Hultgren, Benedikt J. Schwaiger, Albert Busch
Summary: The study aimed to assess the associations between malignancy, therapeutic regimens, and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) growth rates. The results showed that radiation may be associated with reduced aneurysm growth, while administration of antimetabolites resulted in increased growth.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF VASCULAR AND ENDOVASCULAR SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Esther Cynn, Daniel Y. Li, Marcella E. O'Reilly, Ying Wang, Alexander C. Bashore, Anjali Jha, Andrea S. Foulkes, Hanrui Zhang, Hanna Winter, Lars Maegdefessel, Hanying Yan, Mingyao Li, Leila Ross, Chenyi Xue, Muredach P. Reilly
Summary: In this study, researchers identified a non-conserved, human-specific long noncoding RNA called SIMALR that suppresses macrophage apoptosis in atherosclerosis. SIMALR interacts with HIF1α to regulate the transcription of a known macrophage survival factor, NTN1. This research highlights the importance of investigating the functions of human lncRNAs and exploring their translational and therapeutic potential in atherosclerosis.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Francesca Fasolo, Valentina Paloschi, Lars Maegdefessel
Summary: Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by the accumulation of fatty substances, cellular waste products, and fibrous elements in the medium and large arteries, leading to plaque formation and blood flow obstruction. Endothelial dysfunction and phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells play crucial roles in the progression of atherogenesis. Long non-coding RNAs have emerged as potential therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis due to their regulatory functions on gene expression in vascular smooth muscle cells.
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Hanna Winter, Lars Maegdefessel
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Marycarmen Arevalo Martinez, Olivia Ritsvall, Joakim Armstrong Bastrup, Selvi Celik, Gabriel Jakobsson, Fatima Daoud, Christopher Winqvist, Anders Aspberg, Catarina Rippe, Lars Maegdefessel, Alexandru Schiopu, Thomas A. Jepps, Johan Holmberg, Karl Sward, Sebastian Albinsson
Summary: Inadequate adaptation to mechanical forces, including blood pressure, plays a crucial role in the development of arterial aneurysms. Recent studies have shown that YAP and TAZ have a mechanoprotective role in vascular smooth muscle cells. This study identified reduced expression of YAP1 in human aortic aneurysms. Using a mouse model, it was found that the knockout (KO) of YAP/TAZ in vascular smooth muscle cells resulted in the spontaneous development of aneurysms in the abdominal aorta. This KO also led to decreased contractile differentiation of smooth muscle cells, impaired vascular contractility, and other pathological changes.
