m-Calpain Induction in Vascular Endothelial Cells on Human and Mouse Atheromas and Its Roles in VE-Cadherin Disorganization and Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Subtype-selective induction of m-calpain in aortic ECs during atherosclerotic progression is associated with proteolytic disorganization of VE-cadherin and proatherogenic hyperpermeability in cells. Thus, a strategy to selectively inhibit m-calpain may be useful for the therapeutic treatment of patients with atherosclerosis.