Activation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome Cascade Amplifies TGFβ Signaling During Acute Ascending Aortic Stress

It is well known that dysregulation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) activation plays a critical role in aortic damage, fibrosis, and subsequent dysfunction during the development of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD), particularly those involving the ascending aorta. However, the mechanisms leading to TGFb’s activation in TAAD remain to be identified. Having recently found that activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome cascade promotes TAAD, we hypothesized that this cascade amplifies TGFβ signaling and causes aortic degeneration in the ascending aortic wall in response to acute stress.