PCSK9 and atherosclerosis: Of the DEPs identified, several seem to be involved in known diseases, including coronary artery disease (PLAT, APOB, APOA1, APOE, PCSK9, LPA, FDR 0.00000001), lipid metabolism disorder (APOC3, APOB, APOA1, APOE, LCAT, PCSK9, LDLR, FDR 0.00000002), vascular disease (PLAT, SERPINE1, APOB, APOA1, APOE, PCSK9, LPA, FDR, 0.000007), atherosclerosis (APOB, APOA1, APOE, LPA, FDR, 0.000007), and neurodegenerative disease (APOE, SORL1, APP, BACE1, MAPT, TREM2, VLDLR, FDR, 0.0004) (Figure 5g).