title: Collagen and related extracellular matrix proteins in atherosclerotic plaque development.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The structure, composition and turnover of the extracellular matrix (ECM) as well as cell-matrix interactions are crucial in the developing atherosclerotic plaque. There is a need for further insight into specific proteins in the ECM and their functions in the developing plaque, and during the last few years a number of publications have highlighted this very important field of research. These novel findings will be addressed in the present review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This review covers literature focused on collagen and ECM proteins interacting with collagen, and what their roles may be in plaque development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acute myocardial infarction and stroke are common diseases that cause disability and mortality, and the underlying mechanism is often the rupture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. The vascular ECM and the tissue repair in the atherosclerotic lesion are important players in plaque progression. Understanding how specific proteins in the ECM interact with cells in the plaque and affect the fate of the plaque can lead to new treatments for cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: aDepartment of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund bDepartments of Clinical Sciences cCardiology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmoe, Sweden.
authors.forename: Annelie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shami
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hultgårdh-Nilsson
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D003094:Collagen