Expression of TLR4 Is Upregulated in Patients with Sporadic Acute Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection

Figure 4

Based on our analysis of TAAD patients, we hypothesized the presence of abnormal elastic fibers in the medial layer of the vessel wall. It allows macrophages to migrate to the site of aortic injury where macrophage ligands bind to TLR4 receptors, further aggravating the degradation of elastic fibers. Activated macrophages involved in exacerbated local inflammatory responses mediate TLR4 expansion, increase the release of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, and induce collagen deposition, resulting in impaired aortic wall compliance.