CsA preserves VSMC and elastin content and modulates TGF-beta1 and MMP-9 expression in mouse AAAs.

<p>A. Representative anti-αSMA immunostaining performed on AAA cross sections from vehicle- or CsA-treated rats, 14 days after elastase perfusion (red: αSMA staining; blue : nuclei). B, C. Representative anti-αSMA (B) or elastin fibers (C) staining (<i>right</i>) and computer-assisted quantification (<i>left</i>) performed on AAA cross sections from vehicle- or CsA-treated mice at 14 days. D. Representative anti-active TGF-beta1 staining <i>(right)</i> and computer-assisted quantification <i>(left)</i> performed on AAA cross sections from vehicle- and CsA-treated mice at 14 days. E. ELISA quantification of MMP-9 on AAA extracts from vehicle- and CsA-treated mice. Results are reported to the total protein level. Open circles represent individual values from vehicle- and CsA-treated mice and closed circles represent means±SD. *P<.05, **P<.01 <i>vs</i> vehicle. NI : neointima; ILT: intraluminal thrombus. Scale bars : 50 µm.