Abstract
We have tried to offer a unifying hypothesis tying vessel wall narrowing in atherosclerotic plaques to plaque rupture and healing (Fig. 7). This hypothesis is supported by evidence that smooth muscle cells are capable of interacting with a fibrin clot, specifically contracting a fibrin clot, and that inhibition of coagulation prevents narrowing of injured vessels. This work also presents alpha 5 beta 1 and a bridge protein, fibronectin, as possible targets to be used in pharmaceutical intervention to inhibit atherosclerosis progression.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Arteriosclerosis / pathology
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Arteriosclerosis / physiopathology*
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Blood Vessels / pathology
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Blood Vessels / physiology
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Cell Adhesion
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Collagen / physiology
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Disintegrins
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Fibrin / physiology*
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Fibronectins / physiology
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Humans
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Integrins / physiology
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Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / cytology
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Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / physiology*
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Peptides
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Receptors, Fibronectin / physiology
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Wound Healing / physiology
Substances
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Disintegrins
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Fibronectins
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Integrins
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Peptides
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Receptors, Fibronectin
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kistrin
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Fibrin
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Collagen