These findings suggest a dual function for pFN during atherosclerosis: it supports plaque initiation by providing an adhesive matrix for monocytes and at late stages, it protects the lesions by controlling the formation of the fibrous cap. (a) A mature necrotic core with intraplaque hemorrhage (asterisk) is the main component of the plaque.The overlying fibrous cap is an inhomogeneous thickness. Inflammation plays a major role in all phases of atherosclerosis. (Effect of Atorvastatin Therapy on Fibrous Cap Thickness in Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque as Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography: The EASY-FIT Study; NCT00700037). Stable plaques are characterized by a chronic inflammatory infiltrate, whereas vulnerable and ruptured plaques are characterized by an “active” inflammation involved in the thinning of the fibrous cap, predisposing the plaque to rupture. The fibrous cap has a critical role in maintenance of the integrity of the plaque. In addition they have demonstrated that a ruptured fibrous cap seen on MRI correlates with a recent history of a transient ischemic attack or stroke. Heart attack. Coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis in the carotid bulb from three endarterectomy specimens showing morphological variations. Atherosclerosis: disease of large and medium-sized arteries characterized by endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation and accumulation of lipids, cholesterol, calcium and cellular debris within the intima of the vessel wall. To analyze the functional effect of Notch signaling in cap formation, we induced atherosclerosis in mice in which Notch pathway was blocked specifically in SMCs by conditional knockout of the required transcription factor RBPJ. What problems does atherosclerosis cause? Plaque, caused by atherosclerosis, is surrounded by a fibrous cap. In 95% of cases of heart disease caused by atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, this - shape cardiac atherosclerosis and hypertension. (b) The plaque is mainly fibrotic with small areas of lipid accumulation (white arrows) and calcification. Fibrous cap integrity depends on net extracellular matrix metabolism Absent Thin cap fibroatheroma A thin, fibrous cap (< 65 µm) infiltrated by macrophages and lymphocytes with rare or The term atherosclerosis is derived from the Greek "athero," meaning gruel, or wax, corresponding to the necrotic core area at the base of the atherosclerotic plaque, and "sclerosis" for hardening, or induration, referring to the fibrous cap of the plaque's luminal edge.. The increase of fibrous cap was associated with the decrease in serum atherogenic lipoproteins and inflammatory biomarkers during atorvastatin therapy. Methods and Results Notch elements involved in arterial media development were identified in regions of fibrous cap formation in murine plaques. Fibrous cap atheroma Early necrosis: focal macrophage infiltration into areas of lipid pools with an overlying fibrous cap Late necrosis: loss of matrix and extensive cellular debris with an overlying fibrous cap. When atherosclerosis affects the arteries that supply blood to the heart, the coronary arteries, it can restrict blood flow to the heart muscle. This fibrous cap …