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Modification of Collagen and Elastin in the Human Atherosclerotic Plaque

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Pathobiology of the Human Atherosclerotic Plaque

Abstract

The collagen-rich fibromuscular cap is the hallmark of the advanced human atherosclerotic plaque. Collagen is the major extracellular product representing one-third of the dry weight and up to 60% of the total protein content of the plaque (1–3). In the normal human intima, collagen increases with increasing age (Table 1). With atherosclerosis there is significantly more collagen with increases of up to 57% (Table 2). Important functions of collagen may be altered in atherosclerotic tissue.

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Wagner, W.D. (1990). Modification of Collagen and Elastin in the Human Atherosclerotic Plaque. In: Glagov, S., Newman, W.P., Schaffer, S.A. (eds) Pathobiology of the Human Atherosclerotic Plaque. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3326-8_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3326-8_12

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