title: Phenotypic and Functional Changes of Endothelial and Smooth Muscle Cells in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms.
abstract: Thoracic aortic aneurysm develops as a result of complex series of events that alter the cellular structure and the composition of the extracellular matrix of the aortic wall. The purpose of the present work was to study the cellular functions of endothelial and smooth muscle cells from the patients with aneurysms of the thoracic aorta. We studied endothelial and smooth muscle cells from aneurysms in patients with bicuspid aortic valve and with tricuspid aortic valve. The expression of key markers of endothelial (CD31, vWF, and VE-cadherin) and smooth muscle (SMA, SM22α, calponin, and vimentin) cells as well extracellular matrix and MMP activity was studied as well as and apoptosis and cell proliferation. Expression of functional markers of endothelial and smooth muscle cells was reduced in patient cells. Cellular proliferation, migration, and synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins are attenuated in the cells of the patients. We show for the first time that aortic endothelial cell phenotype is changed in the thoracic aortic aneurysms compared to normal aortic wall. In conclusion both endothelial and smooth muscle cells from aneurysms of the ascending aorta have downregulated specific cellular markers and altered functional properties, such as growth rate, apoptosis induction, and extracellular matrix synthesis.
authors.affiliation: Almazov Federal Medical Research Centre, Akkuratova 2, Saint Petersburg 197341, Russia; Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Nab. 7/9, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia; ITMO University, Institute of Translational Medicine, 49 Kronverksky Prospekt, Saint Petersburg 197101, Russia.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malashicheva
authors.affiliation: Almazov Federal Medical Research Centre, Akkuratova 2, Saint Petersburg 197341, Russia.
authors.forename: Daria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kostina
authors.affiliation: Almazov Federal Medical Research Centre, Akkuratova 2, Saint Petersburg 197341, Russia; Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Nab. 7/9, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kostina
authors.affiliation: Almazov Federal Medical Research Centre, Akkuratova 2, Saint Petersburg 197341, Russia; ITMO University, Institute of Translational Medicine, 49 Kronverksky Prospekt, Saint Petersburg 197101, Russia.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Irtyuga
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Avenue 4, Saint Petersburg 194064, Russia.
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Voronkina
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Avenue 4, Saint Petersburg 194064, Russia.
authors.forename: Larisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smagina
authors.affiliation: Almazov Federal Medical Research Centre, Akkuratova 2, Saint Petersburg 197341, Russia.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ignatieva
authors.affiliation: Almazov Federal Medical Research Centre, Akkuratova 2, Saint Petersburg 197341, Russia.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gavriliuk
authors.affiliation: Almazov Federal Medical Research Centre, Akkuratova 2, Saint Petersburg 197341, Russia.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Uspensky
authors.affiliation: Almazov Federal Medical Research Centre, Akkuratova 2, Saint Petersburg 197341, Russia.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Moiseeva
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Postboks 1171, Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Jarle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vaage
authors.affiliation: Almazov Federal Medical Research Centre, Akkuratova 2, Saint Petersburg 197341, Russia; ITMO University, Institute of Translational Medicine, 49 Kronverksky Prospekt, Saint Petersburg 197101, Russia.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kostareva