Marta Martinez Yus

Abstract Background: Hypertension, a disease with known sexual dimorphism, accelerates aging associated arterial stiffening, in part due to the activation of matrix remodeling caused by increased biomechanical load. In this study, we tested the effect of biological sex and the role of the matrix remodeling enzyme lysyl oxidase like 2 (LOXL2) in hypertension induced arterial stiffening. Methods: Angiotensin II (Ang II) was delivered using osmotic pumps in Loxl2+/- and WT male and female mice.

Abstract Background: Hypertension accelerates arterial stiffening associated with natural aging. Aortic stiffness is both a cause and a consequence of isolated systolic hypertension. We identified lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2), a key matrix remodeling enzyme, as a potential therapeutic target for treating vascular stiffening. Here, we determine if LOXL2 depletion is protective against hypertension induced arterial stiffening, and we elucidate the sex differences present.