Trif deficiency reduces the inflammatory response of angiotensin ii-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abstract

Objectives: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is characterized by inflammation, loss of smooth muscle cells (SMC) and degradation of extracellular matrix in the vessel wall. Innate immune receptors such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) were recently shown to regulate immunological processes leading to the formation and progression of atherosclerotic plaques as well as to other cardiovascular pathologies. In this project we aim to investigate whether blockage of the TLR signaling controlled by TIR domain-containing adaptor protein including IFN-β (TRIF) could affect the inflammatory response and aneurysm development in mice using Angiotensin (Ang) II.