ACTA1 and cardiac hypertrophy: The increase in LV wall thickness over time observed by ECHO, reflecting LV hypertrophy, was significantly greater in banded animals and consistent with the results for HW/BW ratio (Fig. 3a), myocyte cross-sectional area (CM CSA) (468 ± 24μm2 vs. 278 ± 9μm2; p < 0.001) (Fig. 3b), and skeletal muscle actin (ACTA1) expression level (Fig. 3c).