Cyclic Mechanical Stretch Induced Smooth Muscle Cell Changes in Cerebral Aneurysm Progress by Reducing Collagen Type IV and Collagen Type VI Levels

Background/Aims: Cerebral aneurysm growth is characterized by continuous structural weakness of local smooth muscle cells, though the mechanism is unclear. In this study, we examine protein changes in cerebral aneurysm and human brain vascular smooth muscle cells after cyclic mechanical stretch. We further explore the relationship between the smooth muscle cell changes and reductions in the levels of collagen types IV and VI. Methods: Saccular cerebral aneurysms (n=10) were collected, and temporal artery samples were used as controls. Quantitative proteomics were analyzed and histopathological changes were examined. Smooth muscle cells were cultured in a flexible silicone chamber and subjected to 15% cyclic mechanical stretch. The effect of stretch on the cell viability, function, gene and protein expression were further studied for the understanding the molecular mechanism of aneurysm development. Results: Proteomics analysis revealed 92 proteins with increased expression and 88 proteins with decreased expression compared to the controls (p