Deciphering the origins of the various cells in atherosclerotic plaques, the regulation of their fates and their functions is an essential step towards developing strategies to limit or even reverse disease progression to myocardial infarction. In this issue, Newman et al. advance our understanding of the roles of non-vascular smooth muscle cells in the formation and maintenance of the fibrous cap, a structure in human atherosclerotic plaques that protects them against rupture—the proximal event typically underlying myocardial infarctions.
- Ashish Misra
- Edward A. Fisher
