Large, elastic arteries are composed of cells and a specialized extracellular matrix that
provides reversible elasticity and strength. Elastin is the matrix protein responsible for this …

Williams syndrome (WS) is a relatively rare microdeletion disorder that occurs in as many as
1: 7,500 individuals. WS arises due to the mispairing of low-copy DNA repetitive elements at …

Elastic fibers are major components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the aorta and
support a life-long cycling of stretch and recoil. Elastic fibers are formed from mid-gestation …

Cardiovascular abnormalities are a major determining factor in the clinical picture and
trajectory of patients with Williams syndrome. Advances in surgical techniques, medical …

Quantifying biomechanical properties of the human vasculature could deepen our
understanding of cardiovascular diseases. Standard nonlinear regression in constitutive …

Obstructive arterial diseases, including supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS),
atherosclerosis, and restenosis, share 2 important features: an abnormal or disrupted elastic …

Elastic fibers provide recoil to tissues that undergo repeated deformation, such as blood
vessels, lungs and skin. Composed of elastin and its accessory proteins, the fibers are …

The vascular system forms as a branching network of endothelial cells that acquire identity
as arterial, venous, hemogenic, or lymphatic. Endothelial specification depends on gene …

Rationale: Elastin is an important ECM (extracellular matrix) protein in large and small
arteries. Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) produce the layered elastic laminae found in …

Thoracic aortopathy, especially aneurysm, dissection, and rupture, is responsible for
significant morbidity and mortality. Uncontrolled hypertension and aging are primary risk …