MERTK and angina pectoris: In blood vessel diseases compared with normal control, MerTK expression is 14.2 % (p = 0.0002) higher in carotid stenosis but significantly lower in coronary artery disease (CAD), CAD coupled to myocardial infarction or stable angina, Cohn's disease, intracranial aneurysm, and stable angina (Fig. 3A).