Cav-1 (Caveolin-1) Deficiency Increases Autophagy in the Endothelium and Attenuates Vascular Inflammation and Atherosclerosis

Endothelial Cav-1 (caveolin-1) expression plays a relevant role during atherogenesis by controlling NO production, vascular inflammation, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) transcytosis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Additional studies have identified cholesterol-rich membrane domains as important regulators of autophagy by recruiting ATGs (autophagy-related proteins) to the plasma membrane. Here, we investigate how the expression of Cav-1 in...