PMC

Map of relative positions of candidate genes in the AAA1 linkage interval. The relative positions of the nine candidate genes studied are shown above (plus strand) or below (minus strand) the black scale bars depending on the direction of transcription. The positions of genotyped SNPs are indicated at the top as gray lines.

Sequence variants identified by candidate gene sequencing. Variants in PEPD (A) and CD22 (B) plotted to show their relative chromosomal positions and positions relative to gene features. Exons are indicated by the boxes above the x-axis. PEPD is transcribed right to left (minus strand) and CD22 is transcribed left to right (plus strand). Chromosomal coordinates are in kilobase pairs (kb).

Immunohistochemical staining of PEPD demonstrates expression in both aneurysmal and non-aneurysmal aortic tissue. Immunohistochemical staining using a commercially available specific antibody against PEPD was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections of non-aneurysmal abdominal aorta (A, B) and AAA (C, D) with staining observed in medial (A) and adventitial layers of controls and throughout the aneurysmal wall. Negative control staining with non-immune serum showed no staining (data not shown). Regions of positive staining appear reddish-brown with hematoxylin counterstaining in blue.

Immunohistochemical staining of CD22 demonstrates expression in AAA tissue associated lymphocytes. Immunohistochemical staining using a commercially available specific antibody against CD22 was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections of non-aneurysmal abdominal aorta (A) and AAA (B, C, D). Negative control staining with non-immune serum showed no staining (data not shown). Images are centered on lymphocytes (small round cells with sparse cytoplasm) primarily seen in the adventitial layer. The adjacent media is indicated with an asterisk. Positive staining appears reddish-brown with hematoxylin counterstaining in blue.