Figure 1. Plasma derived FN promotes atherogenesis in mouse models of atherosclerosis.

pFN, synthesized in the liver, is deposited in susceptible regions of the arteries and contributes to early atherosclerotic lesion formation and the recruitment of smooth muscle cells that shape the fibrous cap of advanced lesions (upper panel). Targeted deletion of FN in ApoE^−/− mice results in smaller, less lipid-rich plaques, which lack a necrotic core and the overlying protective fibrous cap (lower panel).