| METHODS AND RESULTS : We analyzed the expression of apoptotic genes such as BAX , CASP 1 , FAS , FAS L , FOS , MDM 2 , NFkB 2 , P 53 , PCNA , TERT , and XRCC 1 in coronary plaques collected with directional coronary atherectomy from 15 patients with stable angina and 15 with acute coronary syndromes without ST elevation ( ACS ) . ^^^ Gene expression analysis showed that the proapoptotic genes ( ie , BAX , CASP 1 , FAS , FAS L , FOS , NFkB 2 , P 53 , PCNA ) were significantly more expressed ( P < 0 . 001 ) in ACS plaques , whereas the antiapoptotic genes ( ie , MDM 2 , TERT , XRCC 1 ) were more transcribed ( P < 0 . 001 ) in stable angina plaques . ^^^ |