Analysis of AAAs after 7 days Ang II infusion, when rupture and associated death was most prominent in Timp3−/−/Apoe−/− mice, revealed that the ratio of macrophages to smooth muscle cells and markers of apoptosis (p53 and Bax), both characteristics associated with advanced AAAs, were increased relative to Timp3+/+/Apoe−/− mice (Figure 7G–7I). This evidence concerns the gene BAX and achalasia-alacrima syndrome.