Effects of Sex on the Elastogenesis of Vascular Elastic Fibers
Project Description:
Elastic fibers and laminae are responsible for compliance and elastic recoil in many tissues, including blood vessels. Contrary to the conventional understanding that the synthesis of elastin halts post-adolescence, our recent observations in human femoropopliteal arteries, the main artery in the leg, suggest the potential for ongoing elastogenesis or unique degradation patterns. Importantly, our preliminary data suggest that this process might be influenced by sex, with potential implications for why vascular diseases manifest differently and later in women compared to men. This research aims to further unravel these findings, with a particular focus on sex-specific differences, potentially reshaping our comprehension of arterial aging and its broader implications on human health.
