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Lookup NU author(s): Evelyn Torsney, Dr Richard Charlton, Professor Sir John BurnORCiD, Professor Helen ArthurORCiD
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Background - Mutations in endoglin or activin like kinase-1, both involved in the endothelial transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway, cause the autosomal dominant bleeding disorder hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. We and others have reported mouse models for this disease that share the characteristic phenotype of dilated vessels and sporadic hemorrhage. The reasons for the variable phenotype in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia are not understood. Methods and Results - After a detailed immunohistochemical analysis of 129/Ola mice, which are heterozygous for a targeted deletion in the endoglin gene, we observed intrinsic abnormalities in the vascular walls throughout the cutaneous vasculature. Postcapillary venules were dilated, and up to 70% of the vascular wall had no smooth muscle cells. The supporting layers of collagens and elastin were irregular, with thin areas, adding to the fragility of these vessels. A variable hemorrhagic phenotype was observed in which local bleeding is associated not only with fragile vessels but also with regions of inflammation. Conclusions - These findings have relevance to our understanding of the molecular basis of vascular integrity in a wide range of diseases.
Author(s): Torsney E, Charlton R, Diamond AG, Burn J, Soames JV, Arthur HM
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Circulation
Year: 2003
Volume: 107
Issue: 12
Pages: 1653-1657
ISSN (print): 0009-7322
ISSN (electronic): 1524-4539
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.0000058170.92267.00
DOI: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000058170.92267.00
PubMed id: 12668501
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