Major Vault Protein Prevents Atherosclerotic Plaque Destabilization by Suppressing Macrophage ASK1-JNK Signaling.

Background: Macrophages are implicated in atherosclerotic plaque instability by inflammation and degradation of extracellular matrix. However, the regulatory mechanisms driving these macrophage-associated processes are not well understood. Here, we aimed to identify the plaque destabilization-associated cytokines and signaling pathways in macrophages.