Aortopathy in a Mouse Model of Marfan Syndrome Is Not Mediated by Altered Transforming Growth Factor β Signaling

Background Marfan syndrome ( MFS ) is caused by mutations in the gene encoding fibrillin‐1 ( FBN 1 ); however, the mechanisms through which fibrillin‐1 deficiency causes MFS ‐associated aortopathy are uncertain. Recently, attention was focused on the hypothesis that MFS ‐associated aortopathy is caused by increased transforming growth factor‐β ( TGF ‐β) signaling in aortic medial smooth muscle cells ( SMC ). However, there are many reasons to...