Large Extracellular Vesicle-Associated Rap1 Accumulates in Atherosclerotic Plaques, Correlates With Vascular Risks and Is Involved in Atherosclerosis

Abstract

These data demonstrate that Rap1 carried by MetS-lEVs participates in the enhanced SMC proliferation, migration, proinflammatory profile, and activation of ERK5/p38 pathways leading to vascular inflammation and remodeling, and atherosclerosis. These results highlight that Rap1 carried by MetS-lEVs may be a novel determinant of diagnostic value for cardiometabolic risk factors and suggest Rap1 as a promising therapeutic target against the development of atherosclerosis. Graphical Abstract: A graphical abstract is available for this article.