Here, we examined if plasma VAP-1/SSAO is a biomarker for CAD diagnosed by coronary angiography in humans and investigated the effect of VAP-1/SSAO inhibition by a specific inhibitor PXS-4728A on atherosclerosis in cell and animal models.
Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is secreted by vascular smooth muscle cells, adipocytes and endothelial cells with functional monoamine oxidase activity and is elevated in atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and obesity.
Our results suggest for the first time VAP-1 as a potential imaging target for inflamed atherosclerotic plaques, and corroborate VAP-1 inhibition as a therapeutic approach in the treatment of atherosclerosis.