Spatial transcriptomics reveals a key role of fibroblast-like vascular smooth muscle cells in human atherosclerotic cell crosstalk and stability
This study provides the first comprehensive spatial transcriptomics map of cell communication in human plaque microenvironments. A pivotal role of a fibroblast-like VSMC, orchestrating intraplaque cell signalling and contributing to plaque stability, was identified. Targeting these cells might present promising novel avenues for therapies.
Authors
- Andreas Edsfeldt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2691-9192)
- Stephen Malin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7723-9579)
- Helle F. Jørgensen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7909-2977)
- Lena Sundius
- W. Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2095-7677)
- Lea Dib (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5889-4738)
- Panagiotis N. Fountas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7298-2328)
- Jiangming Sun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6814-1297)
- Mengyu Pan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9899-1345)
- Chrysostomi Gialeli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4290-9610)
- Claudia Monaco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1985-4914)
- Mihaela Nitulescu
- Jing Zhao
- Pratibha Singh
- Ana Persson
- Jan Nilsson
Institutions
- Malmö University (SE)
- Lund University (SE)
- Royal Papworth Hospital (GB)
- Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (GB)
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Skåne University Hospital (SE)
- University of Reading (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- European Heart Journal
- Published
- 2025-12-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf1091
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.81