an-atherosclerosis-model-mice-induced-both-partial-carotid-ligation

An Atherosclerosis Model in Mice Induced by Both Partial Carotid Ligation and Overexpression of <em>PCSK9</em>

The lack of rapid, reproducible carotid-specific atherosclerosis models in wild-type mice limits translational studies of plaque biology and therapies. ...

Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College

Atherosclerotic disease has become the major cause of death worldwide. Smoking, as a widespread independent risk factor, further strengthens the health burden of atherosclerosis. Irisin is a cytokine that increases after physical activity and shows an atheroprotective effect, while its specific mechanism in the process of atherosclerosis is little known. The reversal effect of irisin on intimal thickening induced by smoking-mediated atherosclerosis was identified in   mice through the integrin αVβ5 receptor. Endothelial cells treated with nicotine and irisin were further subjected to RNA-seq for further illustrating the potential mechanism of irisin in atherosclerosis, as well as the wound healing assays, CCK-8 assays, β-gal staining and cell cycle determination to confirm phenotypic alterations. Endothelial differential expressed gene enrichment showed focal adhesion for migration and proliferation, as well as the P53 signaling pathway for cell senescence and cell cycle control. Irisin exerts antagonistic effects on nicotine-mediated migration and proliferation  the integrin αVβ5/PI3K pathway. In addition, irisin inhibits nicotine-mediated endothelial senescence and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase  P53/P21 pathway. This study further illustrates the molecular mechanism of irisin in atherosclerosis and stresses its potential as an anti-atherosclerotic therapy.

Irisin Suppresses Nicotine-Mediated Atherosclerosis by Attenuating Endothelial Cell Migration, Proliferation, Cell Cycle Arrest, and Cell Senescence.

Uterine intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a rare and unique leiomyoma that is difficult to surgery due to its ability to extend into intra- and extra-uterine vasculature. And it is difficult to differentiate from uterine leiomyoma (LM) by conventional CT scanning, which results in a large number of missed diagnoses. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of a contrast-enhanced CT-based radiomic nomogram for preoperative differentiation of IVL and LM.

A contrast-enhanced CT-based radiomic nomogram for the differential diagnosis of intravenous leiomyomatosis and uterine leiomyoma.

Currently, noninvasive imaging techniques and circulating biomarkers are still insufficient to accurately assess carotid plaque stability, and an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to plaque instability is still lacking.

Characterization of the proteome of stable and unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry.

The incidence of splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs) has increased with advances in imaging techniques, necessitating a comprehensive classification to guide treatment strategies. This study aims to propose a novel classification system for SAAs based on aneurysm characteristics and to review treatment outcomes at our center.

Treatment strategy for splenic artery aneurysms and novel classification based on imaging.

Tertiary lymphoid organs have been identified in the arterial adventitia in both mouse models of atherosclerosis and patients with atherosclerosis, yet their role in the disease remains insufficiently explored. Here we present a spatially resolved single-cell transcriptome atlas of human atherosclerotic plaques, identifying 14 distinct cell types and providing evidence of plaque tertiary lymphoid organs (PTLOs). The development of PTLOs was associated with the expression of lymphangiogenic chemokine genes and the adhesion molecule gene in fibroblast-like smooth muscle cells. PTLOs harbor abundant B cells with expanded and diversified B cell receptors, suggesting substantial immune involvement. We also observed that B cells may be exchanged between PTLOs and perivascular adipose tissues. The presence of PTLO-like structures correlates with cerebrovascular events, which may be mediated by PTLO-derived IgG antibodies enhancing macrophage functional activity. Our findings suggest the existence and characteristics of PTLOs in human atherosclerosis, elucidating their cellular functions and clinical implications and offering avenues for understanding, diagnosing and treating this condition.

Single-cell spatial transcriptomics of tertiary lymphoid organ-like structures in human atherosclerotic plaques.

Atherosclerosis is a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Despite advancements in understanding its pathology, significant gaps remain in the molecular characterization of atherosclerotic plaques. This study addresses this gap by extensively profiling the proteomic landscape of carotid atherosclerotic plaques, classified under the American Heart Association (AHA) types IV to VI, to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Molecular landscape of atherosclerotic plaque progression: insights from proteomics, single-cell transcriptomics and genomics.

Atherosclerosis in the carotid artery significantly contributes to embolic events leading to ischemic stroke. Precise identification of unstable carotid plaques through non-invasive imaging, is pivotal for stroke prevention. Artificial intelligence (AI) has demonstrated promise in enhancing the accuracy of plaque risk stratification. This review aims to assess the diagnostic performance of AI algorithms in distinguishing unstable carotid plaques from stable plaques using medical imaging.

Artificial intelligence diagnostic performance in image-based vulnerable carotid plaque detection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aims to develop a radiomics model based on carotid perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) from CT angiography to identify histologically confirmed vulnerable plaques in patients with carotid artery stenosis (CAS).

Article	Year
Irisin Suppresses Nicotine-Mediated Atherosclerosis by Attenuating Endothelial Cell Migration, Proliferation, Cell Cycle Arrest, and Cell Senescence. Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine\| PubMed ID: 35463776	2022
A contrast-enhanced CT-based radiomic nomogram for the differential diagnosis of intravenous leiomyomatosis and uterine leiomyoma. Frontiers in oncology\| PubMed ID: 37681025	2023
Characterization of the proteome of stable and unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry. Journal of translational medicine\| PubMed ID: 38454421	2024
Treatment strategy for splenic artery aneurysms and novel classification based on imaging. Journal of vascular surgery\| PubMed ID: 38768832	2024
Single-cell spatial transcriptomics of tertiary lymphoid organ-like structures in human atherosclerotic plaques. Nature cardiovascular research\| PubMed ID: 40295810	2025
Molecular landscape of atherosclerotic plaque progression: insights from proteomics, single-cell transcriptomics and genomics. BMC medicine\| PubMed ID: 40307879	2025
Artificial intelligence diagnostic performance in image-based vulnerable carotid plaque detection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC medical informatics and decision making\| PubMed ID: 41219882	2025
Identification of histological carotid plaque vulnerability by CT angiography using perivascular adipose tissue radiomics signature. Insights into imaging\| PubMed ID: 41491918	2026

Keqiang Shu

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