Conversely, no significant increase in VCAM-1 expression was observed in the atheroprotected linear tract of thoracic aorta in the same animals, suggesting that KRIT1 deficiency causes an enhanced susceptibility to aortic ED and atherosclerosis in atheroprone aortic regions exposed to disturbed blood flow with oscillatory shear stress and characterized by a consequent local increase in oxidative stress and inflammatory responses [80,81]. Here, KRIT1 is linked to atherosclerosis.