PROM1 and atherosclerosis: Although circulating progenitor cells such as CD133+ cells are known to have pro-angiogenic and repair properties in various tissues, they may also be associated with increased inflammation and atherosclerotic plaque instability by promoting neovascularization in the plaques leading to the progression of atherosclerosis by enhancing the entry of inflammatory cells and cytokines into the arterial wall [6–10].