TGFB1 and atherosclerosis: Besides, these reported protective effects of TGF-β, its role in atherosclerosis is controversial because studies have demonstrated a causative role of TGF-β in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is reported based on the studies, which demonstrate that active TGF-β in smooth muscle cells promote lipid accumulation via increased synthesis [9-11] and deposition of proteoglycan in intima, known to be associated with increased atherosclerosis [12,13].