Softening arteries, protecting the heart: Connection between 'good' cholesterol and collagen in heart health
Thursday, November 1, 2012 - 17:00
in Health & Medicine
Arterial stiffening has long been considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Keeping arteries soft and supple might reduce disease risk, but the mechanisms of how arteries stave off hardening has remained elusive. Researchers have discovered that the protein apolipoprotein E plays a major role in maintaining arterial softness by suppressing production of the extracellular matrix.