Transcriptomic research in atherosclerosis: Unravelling plaque phenotype and overcoming methodological challenges.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Molecular Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• Atherosclerotic disease is a primary cause of acute cardiovascular events.
• Understanding atherosclerosis mechanisms is key for personalized medicine.
• Transcriptomic research is vital for dissecting complex molecular pathways in atherosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review transcriptomic research's role in understanding atherosclerotic plaque phenotypes.
• To highlight methodological challenges and the need for protocol harmonization.
• To discuss advances in transcriptomic techniques and their application in plaque phenotyping.

Main Methods:

• Review of current transcriptomic research methodologies.
• Discussion of bulk and single-cell sequencing techniques.
• Exploration of integrated multiomics data and machine learning approaches.

Main Results:

• Transcriptomics aids in identifying diverse atherosclerotic plaque phenotypes.
• Methodological standardization and protocol harmonization are critical for reproducibility.
• Advanced sequencing and multiomics integration enhance plaque characterization.

Conclusions:

• Transcriptomic research, when standardized, significantly advances atherosclerosis understanding.
• Integrated multiomics and machine learning offer promising avenues for future research.
• Improved understanding of atherosclerosis phenotypes can lead to better patient-centered care.