(A) Basal levels of NPY-Y1 mRNA expression in healthy VSMCs, AS and S pVSMCs. (B) Fold change in mRNA expression levels of NPY-Y5 receptor in normal carotid artery vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) (C) asymptomatic and (D) symptomatic carotid plaque derived VSMCs when stimulated with inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-12 and IFN-γ, compared to the corresponding non-stimulated cells. (*** represents p<0.0001, ** represents p<0.001, n=6).