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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Animals, Aorta, Becaplermin, Carotid Arteries, Carotid Artery Injuries, Cell Differentiation, Cell Movement, Cell Proliferation, Chemotaxis, Cholesterol, LDL, Cytoskeleton, Female, Heterozygote, Humans, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Knockout, Muscle, Smooth, Vascular, Myocytes, Smooth Muscle, Neointima, Phenotype, Proprotein Convertase 9, Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis, Tunica Intima.
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Are pCSK9 knock-out mice protected from neointimal formation in response to perivascular carotid collar placement? Context: Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) induces degradation of the low-density lipoprotein-receptor (LDLR). Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in human atherosclerotic plaques and cultured SMCs express PCSK9. The present study aimed at defining the role of PCSK9 on vascular response to injury. Carotid neointimal lesions were induced by positioning a non-occlusive collar in PCSK9 knock-out (PCSK9 In PCSK9
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Taken together, the present results suggest that PCSK9, by sustaining SMC synthetic phenotype, proliferation, and migration, may play a pro-atherogenic role in the arterial wall. Final Decision: yes