Figure 8. Scheme of FGF-dependent regulation of TGF signaling in smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells.In both smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells, suppression of FGF signaling leads to reduction of let-7 miRNAs expression that, in turn, results in increased TGFβR1 expression and activation of TGFβ-dependent transcriptional program. In SMC (left panel), activation of TGFβ signaling promotes SMC conversion from proliferative to contractile phenotype thereby reducing the number of SMCs in the plaque and reducing plaque growth. In contrast, in EC activation of TGFβ signaling promotes endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition thus increasing the number of plaque SMCs and promoting plaque growth. 