Acute loss of miR-221 and miR-222 in the atherosclerotic plaque shoulder accompanies plaque rupture

摘要

Background and PurposeAtherosclerotic plaque vulnerability is accompanied by changes in the molecular and cellular function in the plaque shoulder, including a decrease in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. We aimed to determine if the expression of three miRNAs that regulate VSMC proliferation (miR-145, miR-221, and miR-222) are altered with plaque rupture, suggesting a role in regulating plaque stability.