Figure 9.Systematic diagrams illustrating how macrophages crosstalk with ECs and SMCs and how they involve in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Macrophages deliver miR-503-5p to HCAECs and HCA-SMCs via EVs and downregulate Smad7, smurf1, and smurf2 in HCAECs and HCASMCs, thereby inhibiting proliferation, migration, and angiogenic abilities of HCAECs, but promoting proliferation and migration of HCASMCs.
