title: Angiotensin receptor blockers: a panacea for Marfan syndrome and related disorders?
abstract: The study of mouse models for Marfan syndrome, an autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder caused by mutations in fibrillin-1 (FBN1), has shifted our understanding of the pathogenesis of thoracic aortic aneurysm significantly. Multiple lines of evidence support the notion that dysregulation of canonical and noncanonical transforming growth factor (TGF)β signaling is the responsible pathway in this and related thoracic aortic aneurysm conditions. This exciting knowledge has opened numerous new treatment options, including antagonism of the angiotensin II receptor blocker type 1 (AT1R). In this review, we summarize the current knowledge, the first human losartan Marfan trial results and future therapeutic perspectives for aortic disease in Marfan patients.
authors.affiliation: Center for Medical Genetics, Antwerp University Hospital/University of Antwerp, Prins Boudewijnlaan 43, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium. Electronic address: bart.loeys@uantwerp.be.
authors.forename: Bart L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Loeys
mesh_terms: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D019808:Losartan / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008382:Marfan Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D019808:Losartan