Immunohistochemistry revealed that cleaved caspase-3 staining was strong and Bcl-2 staining was weak in the ascending aortic walls of ascending aortic aneurysms relative to normal, both of which suggested increased apoptosis in the aortic walls of patients with ascending aortic aneurysms. The gene discussed is BCL2; the disease is Ascending tubular aorta aneurysm.