Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are a major health concern as prevalence has been reported to be as high as 7.6% in men. The natural progression of AAA is consistent with wall weakening and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. With the increasing popularity of endovascular repair of AAA, progression studies of aneurysmal disease using human tissue are not within reach. Here we will describe recent work on the apoE-/- AngII mouse model of AAA. Specifically, we will present how the load dependent ECM of this model is altered during aneurysmal progression. Future work will be discussed as it pertains to this specific animal model as well as other AAA work within our laboratory.