Akt Confers Protection Against Aortic Aneurysm Formation

Abstract

Introduction: Thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms are characterized by degenerative changes in the medial layer of the aortic wall. Although overproduction of destructive factors plays a significant role in medial degeneration and disease progression, impairment of protective mechanisms may exacerbate aortic destruction and aneurysm formation. We have previously shown that Akt, a multifunctional kinase with diverse cellular protective functions, is down-regulated in human thoracic aortic aneurysm tissue, especially in the degenerative medial layer.