Functional Importance of Second Heart Field-derived Cells During Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Formation

Embryonic origins of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) may contribute to regional specificity of thoracic aortic aneurysms. Here, we demonstrate that SMCs derived from the second heart field localized with angiotensin II-induced aortopathies. Proteomics analysis discerned potential roles of Lrp1 and TGF-β pathways, and genetic ablation of these pathways in second heart field-derived cells augmented aortopathies, indicating functional importance of this origin on aortic integrity.