Graphical Abstract.

A schematic figure of phenotypes for progeria endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMCs). Both HGPS-ECs and HGPS-VSMCs exhibit increased inflammatory cytokine expression, impaired shelterin complex proteins, shortened telomeres, increased DNA damage, and greater DNA accessibility. However, DNA accessibility and telomere shortening are far more severe in HGPS-ECs, suggesting an important role in the initiation and progression of the arterial occlusive disease in progeria.