TRIB3 and atherosclerosis: Interestingly, previous studies have shown that people with a Q84R gain-of-function variant of TRIB3 (rs2295490-G) have increased carotid intima media thickness and that this variant is associated with early onset myocardial infarction,54–57 which, in view of the data reported here, suggests that increased TRIB3 expression could accelerate atherosclerosis progression and exacerbate vulnerable plaque formation.