RLN2 and endothelial dysfunction: Furthermore, the beneficial effects of relaxin-2 in atherosclerosis also comprise the stimulation of vasculogenesis via the upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) transcript [161,162], the prevention of endothelial dysfunction, the reduction of systemic arterial resistance, the increase of global artery compliance [148,163,164], the amelioration of increased responsiveness to Ang II [165], and the inhibition of atherosclerotic plaque development [166].