Vascular smooth muscle cell endovascular therapy stabilizes already developed aneurysms in a model of aortic injury elicited by inflammation and proteolysis.

Objective: To investigate the efficiency of endovascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) seeding in promoting healing and stability in already-developed aneurysms obtained by matrix metalloproteases (MMPs)-driven injury.

Summary Background Data: VSMCs are instrumental in arterial healing after injury and are in decreased number in arterial aneurysms. This cellular deficiency may account for poor healing capabilities and ongoing expansion of aneurysms.