Key words: smooth muscle cell, calcification, phenotypic switching, nicotine, vitamin K, aortic aneurysm

"Role of vascular Remodeling in Atherosclerosis and Aortic Aneurysm; Vascular calcification as a hallmark of increased vascular smooth muscle cell oxidative stress"

The research described in this thesis aims to unravel mechanisms underlying aortic aneurysm formation. This research characterized VSMCs from aortic aneurysm tissue with specific focus on the involvement of vascular calcification in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Moreover, this thesis studied the effect of smoking, the strongest life-style risk factor for development of aneurysm, on VSMCs and explored the role of vitamin K as potential anti-calcific and antioxidant therapy in vascular pathologies. Because nicotine is the primary agent in both cigarettes and e-cigarettes, our findings also add to the current knowledge that vaping may not be a better and healthier choice for vascular health.

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