Aortic aneurysm (AA) remains a fatal condition with high rates of morbidity and mortality, and the associated underlying mechanism influencing its pathology remains to be elucidated. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)‑7 has previously been demonstrated to be involved in the pathogenesis of vascular atherosclerosis via degradation of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). The ADAMTS‑7/COMP pathway may therefore act as a potential therapeutic target for vascular disorders. To the best of the author's knowledge, the present study aimed to investigate for the first time, the expression of ADAMTS‑7 and COMP in human AA. Human aortic aneurysm samples were collected from patients with AA (n=24), and ascending aorta control samples were harvested from dilated cardiomyopathy patients who underwent heart transplantation (n=18). Expression levels of ADAMTS‑7 and matrix metalloproteinase‑9 were significantly increased in the AA group, as detected by immunohistochemistry (P<0.05). The COMP protein level was markedly decreased in the AA group when compared with the control group, as demonstrated via immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis (P<0.05). The findings suggest that upregulation of ADAMTS‑7 and downregulation of COMP are associated with induction of human AA. ADAMTS‑7/COMP pathway may provide therefore act as a potential therapeutic target in human AA for efficient, optimal treatment interventions in the future.

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