Endothelial BMP6 Drives Hemodynamic-Dependent VSMCs Calcification in Carotid Atherosclerosis.

ABSTRACT: Carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) is a major contributor to ischemic stroke, with vascular calcification driving disease progression. However, the molecular mechanisms driving vascular calcification in CAS remain unelucidated. Previous studies have confirmed that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play essential roles in calcification; however, the regulatory mechanisms of BMP6 signaling in vascular calcification remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of BMP6 in vascular calcification in CAS and the underlying mechanisms. A subset of endothelial cells (ECs) with high BMP6 expression, which interacted with specific vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) via the BMP signaling pathway, is identified using single-cell RNA sequencing of human CAS plaques. In vitro experiments demonst

SUBMITTER: Li S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12786358 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature