NTS and atherosclerosis: However, a pathophysiological link of neurotensin with atherosclerosis remains yet unknown: Although NTSR3 has been associated with the formation of atherosclerotic lesions and the incidence of CAD and myocardial infarction, the effect seems to be independent of neurotensin, as NSTR3 acts as well as a receptor for several pro-atherogenic proteins (i.e., interferon-γ and interleukin-6) (8, 11, 16, 17).