脂肪因子Chromogranin A降解肽段Catestatin能抑制儿茶酚胺分泌，保护血管和心肌，但可否拮抗动脉粥样硬化不明。前期我们发现，动脉粥样硬化血管组织和冠心病患者血浆Catestatin水平低于非病变血管和健康人群；Catestatin抑制血管内皮细胞炎症、粘附分子表达和淋巴细胞粘附，降低单核巨噬细胞的炎症、迁移和吞脂反应。提示Catestatin能拮抗动脉粥样硬化，但在粥样硬化发病中其保护作用被削弱。后续体内体外研究将探讨（1）Catestatin能否抑制高脂饲养apoE-KO小鼠的动脉粥样硬化；（2）因Catestatin所抑制的GPCR通路与促动脉粥样硬化TLR通路有关，Catestatin能否拮抗因TLR-4和TLR-2通路活性增高而加重的动脉粥样硬化；（3）Catestatin对GPCR、TLR等通路途径及下游致病成分的影响；（4）挖掘Catestatin作用新位点。

Current understanding regarding the factors of vascular protection and anti-atherosclerosis remains largely limited. Catestatin, a peptide derived from adipokine Chromogranin A, can restrain catecholamine secretion, lower blood pressure and protect cardiac function. In our previous study, serum Catestatin levels were significantly lower in atherosclerotic vascular tissues and patients with coronary artery disease than in non-atherosclerotic vascular tissues and normal controls, respectively. In vitro experiments, Catestatin inhibited the inflammation and the expression of adhesion molecules in vascular endothelial cells, and decreased the adhesion of monocytoid cells to endothelial cells. Moreover, this protein reduced the inflammation, migration, and lipid intake in macrophages. These results jointly indicate that Catestatin has anti-atherosclerosis effects, and its function, is to some extent, attenuated in the atherogenesis. Catestatin can inhibit G-protein signaling activity. Since there is a close interaction between G-protein coupled receptors and Toll-like receptor downstream signaling, future in vivo and in vitro experiments will ascertain; (1) whether Catestatin can inhibit atherosclerosis in apoE-/- mice fed high-fat chow; (2) whether Catestatin can inhibit the atherosclerotic process aggravated by activated TLR-4 and TLR-2 pathways; (3)the impacts of Catestatin on G-protein coupled receptors, Toll-like receptor pathway and other important signaling pathways, as well as the downstream inflammatory factors and matrix metalloproteinases; (4) novel partners of Catestatin by coprecipitation - mass spectrum approach, which lay down the basis for the future translational research and clinical application.