Single cell spatial transcriptomics integration deciphers the morphological heterogeneity of atherosclerotic carotid arteries.

ABSTRACT: The process of arterial atherosclerosis is characterised by accumulation of lipids and fibrous material with accompanying inflammation. As plaques progress, they restrict blood flow and cause rupture, which results in life threatening organ ischemia and dysfunction. Although extensively studied, a clear understanding of plaque heterogeneity and mechanisms that trigger their destabilization remains elusive. Our study reveals the molecular microarchitecture of human carotid artery plaques, using bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing combined with single-cell spatial transcriptomics, for which we present optimized cell segmentation algorithms. We identified distinct plaque morphologies linked to different cell type compositions, impacting early and advanced lesion formation, as well as destabil

SUBMITTER: Pauli J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12717225 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature