MULTIPLE GROWTH-FACTORS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH LESIONS OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS - SPECIFICITY OR REDUNDANCY

Within the last five years, a number of specific growth factors have b een localized in developing lesions of atherosclerosis. This localizat ion of growth factors that is not observed in normal vessels, together with the pleotrophic activities of growth factors, have suggested a r ole for growth factors in atherosclerotic lesion progression. However, based on in vitro, studies, many of the growth factors identified in lesions have overlapping target cells and are derived from the same ce llular sources. What is the relative role of the specific growth facto rs identified? How is the their activity altered by the local conditio ns in the vessel wall? How do different risk factors for atheroscleros is alter the balance between growth factors and their natural regulato rs? Evidence for the involvement of specific growth factors in the pro gression of lesions of atherosclerosis is discussed, as well as the mu ltiple levels at which the activities of these growth factors may be r egulated by the vessel wall.