To further corroborate the SMYD2 methylation/expression relationship and to ensure that the differential gene activity seen between AAA and controls was applicable to the site of aneurysm in the aortic wall, histological staining of the Smyd2 protein was conducted in whole aortic tissues from six of the same samples used in methylation and gene expression analysis (three AAAs and three controls). Here, SMYD2 is linked to achalasia-alacrima syndrome.