Differential hypertensive protease expression in the thoracic versus abdominal aorta

Hypertension represents a primary risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Given the epidemiologic association with aortic aneurysms, interest has been generated regarding whether the hypertensive state creates an environment in the aortic media that is vulnerable to degenerative remodeling. This investigation has been initiated by exploring two major protease systems, the matrix metalloproteinases and the cathepsins, and addresses the hypothesis that hypertension differentially regulates the expression of two major protease systems in the thoracic aorta vs abdominal aorta. Understanding region-specific protease expression may allow for engineering of targeted aortic therapy.