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Figure 1 (A) Shown is the expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in atherosclerotic and normal vessels detected by Western blotting in sections of human atherosclerotic plaques and nonatherosclerotic arteries (left internal mammary arteries [LIMA]) and compared with the expression of the housekeeping protein beta-tubulin. (B) Shown is the expression of TRAIL in vulnerable and stable atherosclerotic plaques. Stable plaques removed from femoral arteries (a), and representative vulnerable plaques (b and c) were removed by suction after the application of a rheolytic device from culprit arteries. The expression of TRAIL was assayed by Western blotting and compared with expression of beta tubulin. Densitometric analysis is shown in the graph.