Fibrillin microfibrils are extensible polymers that endow connective tissues with long-range
elasticity and have widespread distributions in both elastic and non-elastic tissues. They act …

Exfoliation syndrome (XFS) is a common age-related disorder that leads to deposition of
extracellular fibrillar material throughout the body. The most recognized disease …

Objective: To delineate temporal and spatial dynamics of vascular smooth muscle cell
(SMC) transcriptomic changes during aortic aneurysm development in Marfan syndrome …

Thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD) represent a substantial cause of
morbidity and mortality worldwide. Many individuals presenting with an inherited form of …

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a pleiotropic connective tissue disease inherited as an autosomal
dominant trait, due to mutations in the FBN1 gene encoding fibrillin 1. It is an important …

Connective tissue is known to provide structural and functional “glue” properties to other
tissues. It contains cellular and molecular components that are arranged in several dynamic …

BACKGROUND: Transmural failure of the aorta is responsible for substantial morbidity and
mortality; it occurs when mechanical stress exceeds strength. The aortic root and ascending …

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) are permanent and localized dilations of the aorta that
predispose patients to a life-threatening risk of aortic dissection or rupture. The identification …

Lysyl oxidases (LOX and LOX-likes (LOXLs) isoenzymes) belong to a family of copper-
dependent enzymes classically involved in the covalent cross-linking of collagen and …

Exfoliation syndrome (XFS) is an age-related systemic disease that affects the extracellular
matrix. It increases the risk of glaucoma (exfoliation glaucoma, XFG) and susceptibility to …