The development and progression of atherosclerosis: evidence supporting a role for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death worldwide. A major underlying cause of cardiovascular disease is atherosclerosis--a chronic inflammatory disease of the large arteries. Despite substantial advances over the past few decades, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that link cardiovascular risk factors to the development and progression of atherosclerosis is incomplete. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a membranous …