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Figure 2 Pathogenesis of plaque development. Endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory processes are crucial in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. The major goal of endothelial activity is to maintain constant hemostatic and hemorheologic conditions through a balanced production of several vasoactive and thrombotic/antithrombotic substances. Arrow = promotion; dashed line = inhibition. CAM = cell adhesion molecules; CRP = C-reactive protein; ET = endothelin; FDP = fibrin degrading products; MCP-1 = monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; M-CSF = macrophage colony-stimulating factor; MMP = metalloproteinase; NO = nitric oxide; PAI-1 = plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; PGI₂ = prostaglandin; SMC = smooth muscle cells; TF = tissue factor; tPA = tissue plasminogen activator; TXA₂ = thromboxane A₂; VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor. Reproduced with permission from Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.