Western blot analysis

Western blot analyses were conducted as described previously (Rector et al. 2008 a). CD68 antibody was from Santa Cruz Biotechnology (Dallas, TX, USA). Interleukin (IL)‐1β, α smooth muscle actin (αSMA), MMP‐2, MMP‐12 and CCN1 antibodies were obtained from Abcam (Cambridge, MA, USA). Transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β and cleaved caspase‐3 antibodies were obtained from Cell Signaling (Beverly, MA, USA). MMP‐9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)‐1 antibodies were obtained from EMD Millipore (Billerica, MA, USA). Protein bands were quantified using a densitometer (Bio‐Rad, Hercules, CA, USA).