Aortic aneurysm, CCN3 may solve the problem

Aortic aneurysm was responsible for the death of over 150,000 people in the world in 2013, in increase by 50% since 1990 (1). They can form in any section of the aorta but are more commonly located in the abdominal aorta (AAA). It is characterized by an intense vascular inflammation and leukocyte infiltration which leads to a pathological remodeling and degradation of the aortic extracellular matrix (ECM) and alteration of smooth muscle function (2,3), which can lead to aortic rupture and life-threatening bleeding. No medical treatment is currently available to prevent rupture or to slowdown AAA progression. Surgery involving the placement of a stent graft or the replacement of the aneurysmal portion of the aorta with a graft is the only available option.