By focusing on previously documented markers of dedifferentiated, dysfunctional aortic VSMCs such as interleukin-6, IL-6 (5, 11), cathepsin S, CtsS (12, 13), cystatin C, CysC (12, 14), osteoprotegerin, OPG (15, 16), and tenascin-C, TNC (17, 18), this project has utilized a murine HTN model to investigate aortic pathologic marker (APM) production, particularly as it relates to SGK-1. The gene discussed is CTSS; the disease is hypertensive disorder.