Genetic Ablation of miR-146a Induces Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation by Intensifying Inflammatory M1-Like Macrophages Polarization and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Switching

The absence of miR-146a potentiates AAA formation by promoting VSMC phenotypic switching, Notch1 signaling-mediated aortic inflammation, and macrophage M1 polarization. Thus, miR-146a plays a critical role in maintaining aortic structural integrity to prevent aneurysmal pathogenesis.