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Researchers Closer to Understanding Actions of Cells Involved in Atherosclerosis
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120910185759.htmScienceDaily (Sep. 10, 2012) — Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital are one step closer to understanding why plaque bursts in coronary arteries and causes heart attacks.
The clue might be something called microRNA-145. MicroRNAs are short chains of bossy molecules that scientists are increasingly coming to realize control a wide variety of biological processes.
Dr. Subodh Verma, a cardiac surgeon at St. Michael's, published a paper in the journal Circulation September 10, describing for the first time how microRNA-145 gene therapy can drastically reduce the severity and progression of atherosclerosis in mice.
In addition this approach appeared to make the atherosclerotic plaque more stable and less prone to burst.