Abstract 17361: Loss of Notch1 in the Secondary Heart Field Exacerbates Ascending Aortic Aneurysm and Causes Aortic Rupture in Marfan Syndrome Mice (Best of Basic Science Abstract)

Ascending aortic aneurysm (AscAA) is a life-threatening disease that affects approximately 3.5 in 100,000 people per year, but the mechanisms of AscAA remain poorly understood. We previously reported that NOTCH1 mutations are associated with familial bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), and a subset of these individuals displayed BAV aortopathy. NOTCH1 is expressed in multiple cell lineages that contribute to the aorta, and we found dysregulation of activated NOTCH1 expression in aneurysmal tissue from Marfan syndrome and BAV patients in comparison to control tissue. To investigate the role of NOTCH1 in AscAA, Notch1 haploinsufficiency was introduced into the Marfan syndrome mouse (Fbn1C1039G/+), a well-described model of AscAA. Serial echocardiographic, gross and histological characterization of the Notch1 deficient Marfan syndrome mice (Notch1+/-;FbnC1039G/+) demonstrated an exacerbated AscAA phenotype when compared to Fbn1C1039G/+ mice. The compound mutant mice had increased aortic root diameter by three month...