TCF7L1 Accelerates Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Switching and Aggravates Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

•TCF7L1 is upregulated in a mouse model of AAAs.•TCF7L1 overexpression increases the formation of AAAs induced by Ang II. Knockdown TCF7L1 significantly reduces the formation of AAAs induced by Ang II.•TCF7L1 overexpression promotes VSMC phenotypic transformation, while knocking down prevents VSMC phenotypic transformation in vitro.•TCF7L1 overexpression attenuates the transcriptional activity of SRF, which is known to critically regulate VSMC phenotypic stability.