Scientists led by Mete Civelek, PhD, at the School of Medicine have delved into the biological mechanisms protecting against strokes, heart attacks, and cardiovascular diseases, focusing on the fibrous caps formed over fatty plaques in arteries. By combining human genetics research spanning two decades with smooth muscle cells data, they identified 20 genetic loci influencing the secretion of proteins crucial for plaque stability. This discovery includes a gene variation associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis, offering potential for identifying high-risk patients. Furthermore, their findings shed light on the dual role of smooth muscle cells in plaque stabilization, aiding in the development of targeted treatments. One highlighted protein, LTBP1, shows promise as a therapeutic target for improving plaque stability and patient care in the near future.
The Biological Mechanisms Protecting Us From Strokes & Heart Attacks
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