Fig. 2.

Effect of aging on telomere length and influence of telomere length on telomere dysfunction in aortic endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). A Mean telomere length in ECs and VSMCs. B Frequency distribution of ECs based on mean telomere length. C Frequency distribution of VSMCs based on mean telomere length. D Relation between percentage of ECs containing one or more telomereassociated DDR foci (TAF) and telomere length. E Mean telomere length in ECs and VSMCs with and without (W/O) one or more telomere-associated DDR foci (TAF). F Maximum and minimum telomere length in ECs and VSMCs with and without (W/O) one or (TIF). A–D N = 11/12 per group. E–F N = 9/11 per group. Data are mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 more uncapped telomere