Table 2.

Response indicators of atherosclerosis.

Response indicator	Variable name	Description/relevance
Vascular endothelin-1	ET-1	Key mediator of vascular tone (vasoconstrictor); displays mitogenic properties in cardiovascular system. Found upregulated in atherosclerosis.
Vascular endothelin growth factor	VEGF	Stimulates vasculogenesis and angiogenesis (including after injury); chemotatic for leukocytes. Contributes to atherosclerotic plaque progression and destabilization.
Matrix metalloproteinase-3	MMP3	Collagenase involved in connective tissue remodeling and activation of other MMPs, such as MMP-7 and -9. Genetic variants of MMP3 are associated with plaque rupture and myocardial infarction.
Matrix metalloproteinase-7	MMP7	Degrades proteoglycans, fibronectin, elastin, and casein and is involved in tissue remodeling and wound repair. Found upregulated in atherosclerosis.
Matrix metalloproteinase-9	MMP9	Gelatinase associated with tissue remodeling and mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Found upregulated in atherosclerosis and activity is associated with plaque destabilization/rupture.
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2	TIMP2	Tissue inhibitor of MMPs; found upregulated in atherosclerotic vessels.
Heme-oxygenase-1	HO-1	Enzyme that catalyzes degradation of heme; inducible in response to oxidative stress and cytokine expression.
Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances	TBARS	Formed as a byproduct of lipid peroxidation; indicator of oxidative stress. Found increased in atherosclerotic vessels.