Along with AAA formation, GAS5 overexpression increased SMC apoptosis, as shown by TUNEL (p < 0.05; Figure 5C-D), caspase-3 IHC (Figure 5E-F and Figure S7A) and western blot (Figure 5G-H), and reduced the number of SMCs, as identified by α-SMA IHC (Figure 5I-J and Figure S7B) and western blot (Figure 5K-L). Here, CASP3 is linked to triple-A syndrome.