Figure 1.

The vascular phenotype in aging and hypertension. With aging and during the development of hypertension, the endothelium, vascular wall, and adventitia undergo functional and structural changes. Endothelial function is impaired and the vascular media is thickened. The adventitial extracellular matrix undergoes remodelling, with increased collagen deposition, reduced elastin content, and increased proinflammatory cells. These processes contribute to vascular fibrosis and stiffening. ECM, extracellular matrix; MMP, matrix metalloproteinases; TIMPs, tissue inhibitory metalloproteinases; VSMC, vascular smooth muscle cell.