As expected, we found that the protein levels of the contractile SMC markers SM-22α and α-SMA were significantly downregulated in AAA tissues compared to normal tissues, while extracellular matrix proteolytic enzyme 2 (MMP2), a synthetic phenotype marker, was significantly upregulated (p < 0.01; Fig. 1E, F). This evidence concerns the gene ACTA1 and triple-A syndrome.