VCAN and aortic aneurysm: We have previously demonstrated that ADAMTS-5 is the most potent protease associated with versican cleavage in the murine aorta.11 Loss of ADAMTS-5 also results in the accumulation of aggrecan.12 To investigate the contribution of ADAMTS-5 in ECM remodeling during aortic aneurysm formation, a mouse model lacking ADAMTS-5 activity was used.