Figure 2.

Abundant presence of HH ligands in atherosclerotic plaques. (A) Coronary plaques were collected from 17 patients by catheterization, and protein levels of HH ligands were analyzed by Western blot. (B) Carotid plaques were collected by endarterectomy and analyzed for the levels of HH protein using Western blot. Immature forms (as deduced from apparent molecular weight) are abundantly present in plaques. Carotid plaques also contain abundant HH. Thus, atherosclerotic plaques are characterized by the presence of HH ligands.