LDLR and achalasia-alacrima syndrome: To examine the role of smooth muscle cell AT1a receptors in AngII-induced AAAs and atherosclerosis, male littermate LDL receptor −/− mice that were wild type or deficient for smooth muscle cell AT1a receptors, were fed a saturated fat-enriched diet and infused with either saline or AngII (1,000 ng/kg/min) for 28 days.