As expected, Signac predicted known VSMC contractile and contractile-associated genes, such as Tagln, Myh11, Carmn, and Synpo2. VSMC contractile genes are downregulated in an Ang II-induced AAA model.47 These target genes possess increased chromatin accessibility in the regions encompassing CArG elements in the KO compared with the WT mice (Fig. 5e). This evidence concerns the gene AGT and triple-A syndrome.