AGT and aneurysm: SDC-1 has indeed been shown, in two mice models of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in which aneurysm was induced by elastase or angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion (on Apo E deficient background) (22), to exert a protective role against AAA development by attenuating the inflammatory response and reducing protease activity (22).