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Updated: May 8, 2025
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Isolation of Macrophage Subsets and Stromal Cells from Human and Mouse Myocardial Specimens
Published on: December 17, 2019
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Single-cell analysis identified key macrophage subpopulations associated with atherosclerosis
Zhenzhen Zhao1,2, Yuelong Qin1, Rui Wu3
1First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250000, China.
Open Medicine (Warsaw, Poland)
|December 27, 2024
Summary
Researchers identified a key macrophage subset, C2 FCN1+ macrophages, crucial in atherosclerosis progression. These cells interact with endothelial cells through specific pathways, offering new insights into cardiovascular disease development.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease driven by lipids, leading to plaque buildup in arteries.
- Macrophage accumulation, via monocyte recruitment, differentiation, and proliferation, is central to plaque formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific macrophage subsets involved in atherosclerosis.
- To elucidate key molecular pathways driving atherosclerotic disease progression.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell analysis of atherosclerosis.
- Utilized CytoTRACE, Monocle2, Slingshot, and CellChat for macrophage differentiation and trajectory inference.
- Analyzed 8,417 macrophages across six identified subtypes.
Main Results:
- Six macrophage subtypes were identified: C0 (C1QC+), C1 (SPP1+), C2 (FCN1+), C3 (IGKC+), C4 (FCER1A+), and C5 (CALD1+).
- C2 FCN1+ macrophages were implicated in atherosclerosis progression through gene set enrichment analysis, Monocle2, and Slingshot.
- C2 FCN1+ macrophages interact with endothelial cells via CCL, CXCL, and APP pathways.
Conclusions:
- A specific macrophage subgroup, C2 FCN1+ macrophages, is identified as critical in atherosclerosis.
- These macrophages regulate disease progression through interactions with endothelial cells via specific signaling pathways.
