Decreased elastin in vessel walls puts the pressure on.
Mice haploinsufficient for elastin develop structural changes in vessel walls similar to those seen in patients with mutations in the elastin gene. A new study demonstrates that due to mechanical changes in the vessel wall, these animals exhibit increased mean arterial pressures. The results evoke the possibility that alterations in elastin may contribute to the development of essential hypertension in patients.
Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Physicians and Surgeons 9-449, 622 West 168th Street, New York, New York 10032, USA. jmd12@columbia.edu
Jeanine
J
D'Armiento
D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D004549:Elastin / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology*; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation
D004549:Elastin