Coronary collateral growth is a process involving coordination between growth factors expressed in response to ischemia and mechanical forces. Underlying this response is proliferation of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells, resulting in an…
We previously reported that high pathophysiological concentrations of leptin, the adipocyte-secreted peptide, upregulate the expression of a potent proatherogenic matricellular protein, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), in vascular smooth muscle cells.…
Atherosclerosis, a major macrovascular complication associated with diabetes, poses a tremendous burden on national health care expenditure. Despite extensive efforts, cost-effective remedies are unknown. Therapies for atherosclerosis are challenged…