Phenotypic and Functional Changes of Endothelial and Smooth Muscle Cells in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms

Figure 4

Expression of smooth muscle cell (SMC) markers and endothelial cell markers in endothelial cells from patients with aortic aneurysm with either tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) or bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and controls (C). mRNA level was determined by qPCR; protein level was determined by Western blot. The diagrams represent the results of densitometry. The bands were normalized by β-actin. (a) mRNA and protein level in endothelial cells: controls: ; TAV: ; BAV: ; (b) representative Western blot picture for SMA and vimentin protein level in endothelial cells.

(a)

(b)