Furthermore, lncRNA MALAT1 depletion is known to promote VSMC proliferation and left ventricle function, as well as attenuate cardiomyocyte apoptosis, all of which are linked to the development of atherosclerotic heart disease, the induction of which was found to be hindered by the rs19586AG/GG genotype of MALAT1 [31]. Here, MALAT1 is linked to carotid atherosclerosis.