Regulated Expression of the BTEB2 Transcription Factor in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Abstract

The present study shows that BTEB2 expression is developmentally and pathologically regulated. BTEB2 is preferentially expressed in dedifferentiated or activated SMCs. Examination of human coronary artery specimens suggests that primary lesions containing BTEB2-positive cells are associated with higher risk of restenosis than BTEB2-negative lesions. These results suggest that BTEB2 can serve as a molecular marker for phenotypic modulation of vascular SMCs.