The expression of IGFs and IGF binding proteins in human carotid atherosclerosis, and the possible role of IGF binding protein-1 in the regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation

Our results demonstrate that IGFBP-1 mRNA and protein is detected at increased levels in human carotid plaques, possibly as a consequence of plaque inflammation. IGFBP-1 affects SMC proliferation and may be involved in the regulation of plaque stability.