CDKN2B-AS1 and atherosclerosis: While different linear ANRIL isoforms are attributed to opposing effects in both endothelial cells and vascular smooth cells during atherosclerosis, circular ANRIL isoforms are considered to protect atherosclerotic plaques and reduce atherosclerosis risk (Cho et al., 2020; Gareev et al., 2022; Mayner et al., 2023).