Roles of Cells from the Arterial Vessel Wall in Atherosclerosis

Figure 4

Perivascular adipose tissue contributing to atherosclerosis. PVAT plays a pivotal role in atherosclerosis by releasing numerous adipokines, such as leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, resistin, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and PAI-1. These adipokines mediate SMC migration and proliferation, also promoting neointimal hyperplasia and formation, stimulating inflammation responses and oxidative stress, and regulating vascular tone, consequently contributing to atherosclerosis.