Robert P. Mecham

Latent Transforming Growth Factor Binding Protein-2 promotes microfibrillar TGF-β bioavailability to drive pathologic fibrosis in remote regions of infarcted hearts

This study shows that LTBP2 promotes fibrosis in remote myocardium after MI by sequestering latent TGF-β, and its deletion reduces fibrosis and improves cardiac function.

Arterial Elastin Abundance, Rather Than Orthologue Origin, Modulates Medial Arterial Calcification in Matrix Gla Protein-Deficient Mice

The paper shows that arterial elastin abundance, not its origin, affects medial calcification in MGP-deficient mice, with reduced elastin delaying calcification and human elastin restoring it.

Latent transforming growth factor binding protein-2 (LTBP2), an IPF biomarker of clinical decline, promotes TGF-beta signaling and lung fibrosis in mice

This study shows LTBP2 promotes TGF-beta signaling and lung fibrosis in mice but is also needed for epithelial repair.

SVEP1, a novel human coronary artery disease locus, promotes atherosclerosis

This study identifies SVEP1 as a novel coronary artery disease locus that promotes atherosclerosis by affecting vascular smooth muscle cell function and signaling pathways.