Lievens and colleagues report an important finding that helps to elucidate the role of transforming growth factor b (TGFb)b in atherosclerotic plaque formation. TGFb is a widely expressed cytokine produced by smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, monocytes, macrophages, and T cells. Clinical studies suggest that TGFb is antiatherosclerotic, citing a negative correlation between plasma TGFb co...
