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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2022 Feb 2.
Published in final edited form as: Nat Aging. 2021 Aug 2;1(8):698–714. doi: 10.1038/s43587-021-00089-5

Extended Data Fig. 10: Proposed model for how SNCs suppress the cap repair functions of VSMCs in advanced atherosclerotic lesions.

Extended Data Fig. 10:

(Top) SNCs inhibit lesional IGF signaling by elevating Igfbp3 levels, thereby suppressing promigratory phenotype switching of contractile VSMCs in the media and their recruitment to the fibrous cap, as well as ECM deposition by VSMCs in the cap, resulting in fibrous cap erosion. (Bottom) SNC clearance reduces lesional Igfbp3 levels, thereby stimulating IGF-mediated promigratory phenotype switching of medial VSMC and their recruitment to the fibrous cap, as well as ECM deposition by VSMCs in the cap, restoring fibrous cap thickness and plaque stability.