Objective—Arterial injury stimulates remodeling responses that, when excessive, lead to
stenosis. These responses are influenced by integrin signaling in vascular smooth muscle …

Microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) is located in the extracellular matrix (ECM). We
sought to identify tissues with high levels of MFAP4 mRNA and MFAP4 protein expression …

Objective—We investigated the role of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP8) in neointima
formation and in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and proliferation. Approach …

Objective—Accumulating evidence suggests a role of semaphorins in vascular homeostasis.
Here, we investigate the role of Sema7A (semaphorin 7A) in atherosclerosis and its …

Although it has been established that myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) plays pivotal roles
in the development of the cardiovascular system as well as skeletal muscle cells, little is …

Aims The migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are crucial
events in the neointimal formation, a hallmark of atherosclerosis and restenosis …

Excessive neovascularization of atherosclerotic lesions increases plaque vulnerability and
the susceptibility to rupture. Semaphorin 7A (Sema7A), a semaphorin family member, was …

Background: Marfan syndrome, caused by mutations in the gene for fibrillin-1, leads to
thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs). Phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells …

Objective—Pericytes/pericyte precursors produce milk fat globule-associated protein with
epidermal growth factor and factor VIII-like domains (MFG-E8) in vivo, and this αv integrin …

Microfibrils are macromolecular complexes associated with elastin to form elastic fibers that
endow extensible tissues, such as arteries, lungs, and skin, with elasticity property. Fibrillin …