Figure 3.

miRNA regulation of atherosclerotic plaque rupture. Rupture-prone vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques typically consist of high inflammatory cell content (foam cells) and a large necrotic core covered by a thin fibrous cap. These vulnerable plaques have an increased susceptibility to rupture, often culminating in catastrophic clinical manifestations of myocardial infarction or ischaemic stroke. While the pathophysiology of plaque rupture is not fully understood, it is well accepted that lesion vulnerability is more closely associated with plaque composition than size. Positive/atheroprotective (blue) or negative/atherogenic (red) effects of miRNAs on the atherosclerotic processes are shown.