SYNPO2 and triple-A syndrome: 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).