Site-specific genetic and functional signatures of aortic endothelial cells point towards the location of aneurysm formation in the AngIIApoE-/- mouse model

Aortic aneurysm is characterized by a pathological dilation at specific predilection sites of the vessel and potentially results in life-threatening vascular rupture. Herein, we established a modified Haeutchen method for the local isolation of endothelial cells (ECs) from mouse aorta to analyze their spatial heterogeneity and potential role in site-specific disease development. When we compared ECs from aneurysm predilection sites of healthy mice with adjacent control segments we found regulation of genes related to extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis and inflammation, all pathways playing a critical role in aneurysm development. Gene expression of ECs from aneurysms of the AngIIApoE-/- model when compared to sham animals mimicked expression patterns from predilection sites of healthy animals.