Figure 2.

Proteolytic activity by proteases such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is an important regulator of extracellular matrix (ECM) integrity in atherosclerosis, which is the central pathological feature of CVD. Interaction of different proteases combined with an altered ECM phenotype during atheroma formation and disease progression could result in a distinct neo epitope formation which could be used to monitor abnormal cardiac ECM remodelling and stage the disease. These neoepitopes are informative of protease activity, potential post- translational modifications of proteins, and tissue remodelling (A). Combining such biomarkers with a specific relationship to the location of atheroma formation could enable close monitoring of atherosclerosis progression (B).