Lipid infiltration promotes trans-differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells into macrophage-like cells in early lesions of human coronary atherosclerosis

Lipid infiltration begins in the early stages of human coronary artery atherosclerotic lesions and may promote trans-differentiation of intimal SMCs into macrophage-like cells, as indicated by expression of the macrophage-associated protein FABP4. These findings provide novel insight into early atherogenesis and may help identify potential targets for timely prevention and intervention in cardiovascular disease.