Hypoxia in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Supports a Role for HIF-1α and Ets-1 as Drivers of Matrix Metalloproteinase Upregulation in Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells

Abstract

Hypoxia facilitates HIF-1α, Ets-1 and VEGF up-regulation in addition to driving enhanced secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by HASMC. Enhanced transcription of factors relevant to aneurysmal disease in hypoxia indicates possible roles in disease progression and potential targets for therapeutic intervention.