VCAM1 and atherosclerosis: The peptide Val-His-Pro-Lys-Gln-His-Arg (VHPKQHR, VHP) contains homology to very late antigen-4 (VLA-4), a known ligand of VCAM-1 [8,11] VCAM-1 overexpression that plays a vital role in the development of atherosclerosis and can be used as a key target for early atherosclerosis [8], but few studies have used it as a target receptor for early plaque diagnostic combination therapy.