In our cellular 'glue,' scientists find answers about heart attacks, strokes (IMAGE)
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“We combined two decades of human genetics findings and a unique resource of smooth muscle cells, an important component of arteries where the plaques develop,” said Mete Civelek, PhD, of the University of Virginia’s Center for Public Health Genomics and the Department of Biomedical Engineering. “We discovered that our genetic makeup impacts the ways smooth muscle cells secrete proteins that provide strength to plaques and prevent them from rupturing and causing heart attacks and strokes.”
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UVA Health
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May be used to accompany news stories about the extracellular matrix findings. All other uses require express written consent from UVA Health.
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