Abstract BACKGROUND Proteolytic degradation of Type I Collagen by proteases may play an important role in remodeling of atherosclerotic plaques, contributing to increased risk of plaque rupture.The aim of the current study was to investigate whether human macrophage foam cells degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) of atherosclerotic plaques by cathepsin K mediated processes. METHODS We […]
Human macrophage foam cells degrade atherosclerotic plaques through cathepsin K mediated processes.
April 21, 2010
BMC Cardiovasc Disord