The cushioning function of large arteries encompasses distension during systole and recoil
during diastole which transforms pulsatile flow into a steady flow in the microcirculation …

Extracellular matrix proteins form the basic structure of blood vessels. Along with providing
basic structural support to blood vessels, matrix proteins interact with different sets of …

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 …

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide and represent a
major problem of public health. Over the years, life expectancy has considerably increased …

Williams syndrome (WS) is a relatively rare microdeletion disorder that occurs in as many as
1: 7,500 individuals. WS arises due to the mispairing of low-copy DNA repetitive elements at …

Aortic dimensions and distensibility are key risk factors for aortic aneurysms and dissections,
as well as for other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. We present genome-wide …

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 …

Elastic fibres are insoluble components of the extracellular matrix of dynamic connective
tissues such as skin, arteries, lungs and ligaments. They are laid down during development …

The coacervation of tropoelastin represents the first major stage of elastic fiber assembly.
The process has been modeled in vitro by numerous studies, initially with mixtures of …

2126 Circulation May 28, 2013 alternates with a ring of smooth muscle, forming a lamellar
unit. 20 The elastic lamellae allow an artery to respond to the increased hemodynamic …