Updated publication reference for PubMed record(s): 27198765, 30594242. Protein profiles were determined from different distinct regions of human atherosclerotic plaques, including: internal control, fatty streak, plaque shoulder, plaque centre, and fibrous cap. Protein extracts from all 5 regions, from 3 men and 3 women, were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (in total 30 2-DE gels). Stained gels were matched by protein spot distribution, and a protein mapping was performed to identify as many protein spots as possible, by MALDI-TOF MS / peptide mass fingerprinting (Voyager DE Pro; Applied Biosystems). This resulted in the identification of 97 protein spots, corresponding to 52 unique protein by accession number. To expand on this nLC-MS/MS (Easy-nLC / LTQ Orbitrap Velos Pro; Thermo Fisher Scientific) experiments were run on additional carotid plaque samples from 10 men and 10 women, using three of the predefined regions; internal control, fatty streak, plaque core. MS/MS analysis resulted in the identification of over 1000 proteins. Human carotid atherosclerotic plaques (n = 26) were obtained from the Linköping Carotid Study, and all methods/protocols described herein have been approved by the local ethics committee (Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden). Written informed consent was also obtained from all patients.