TP53 and atherosclerosis: Murine double-minute (Mdm2)-mediated inhibition of p53 function is a prerequisite for RUNX2 activation, osteoblast differentiation and proper skeletal formation.12 In atherosclerosis, p53 not only arrests growth and promotes cell senescence and apoptosis, but also protect against trans-differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells into VSMCs, protects against apoptosis, and alters the mode of cell death within the plaque.