Loss of EMILIN-1 Enhances Arteriolar Myogenic Tone Through TGF-? (Transforming Growth Factor-?)-Dependent Transactivation of EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) and Is Relevant for Hypertension in Mice and Humans
Objective- EMILIN-1 (elastin microfibrils interface located protein-1) protein inhibits pro-TGF-? (transforming growth factor-?) proteolysis and limits TGF-? bioavailability in vascular extracellular matrix. Emilin1-/- null mice display increased vascular TGF-? signaling and are hypertensive. Because EMILIN-1 is expressed in vessels from embryonic life to adulthood, we aimed at unravelling whether the hypertensive phenotype of Emilin1-/- null mice results from a developmental defect or lack of homeostatic role in the adult.