Osteopontin (SPP1) is an immuno-inflammatory glycoprotein involved in atherosclerosis, but its relevance to plaque vulnerability and short-term cardiovascular events is not fully defined.<h4>Methods</h4>In this prospective observational cohort study, a total of 300 patients were included, of whom 150 were classified as having vulnerable plaques based on IVUS/OCT imaging. The gene discussed is SPP1; the disease is atherosclerosis.