PCSK9 is reported to be expressed in VSMCs in atherosclerotic plaques (39), and its expression is markedly increased by inflammatory stimuli, indicating that proinflammatory factors that are associated with atherosclerosis stimulate PCSK9 expression in VSMCs and suggesting a critical role for PCSK9 in the development of atherosclerotic lesions (40). Here, PCSK9 is linked to atherosclerosis.