Fig. 2 |. Overview of the overlapping pathologic changes in vascular cells and their ECM.

During vascular aging and disease, changes in cell behavior and local tissue mechanics result in pathological remodeling of the vascular ECM. Dysregulated ECM turnover and increased proliferation of SMCs are common underlying behaviors in pathologic ECM remodeling in the vasculature5,21,51,182. ECs, endothelial cells; EndMT, endothelial–mesenchymal transition; GAG, glycosaminoglycan; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; oxLDL, oxidized low-density lipoprotein; SASP, senescence-associated secretory phenotype.