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Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression
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The new perspective on understanding the mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases development

Ulyana Khovantseva1, Diana Kiseleva2,3, Vadim Cherednichenko2

  • 1Petrovsky National Research Center of Surgery, 119435, Moscow, Russian Federation. ulyana.khovantseva@gmail.com.

Scientific Reports
|July 22, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in patients with cardiovascular diseases may undergo phenotypic switching, affecting vascular wall structure. This cellular change, linked to LDL internalization, may drive aneurysm development.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Biology
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading global cause of mortality.
  • Endothelial dysfunction is a recognized factor in CVD development.
  • Alternative hypotheses suggest smooth muscle cell (SMC) dysfunction drives CVD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional characteristics of SMCs from the human thoracic aorta in CVD patients.
  • To analyze SMCs isolated from both the tunica intima and tunica media.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of SMCs from the tunica intima and tunica media of the human thoracic aorta.
  • Analysis of SMCs from patients with cardiovascular diseases, including aneurysms (n=6).

Main Results:

  • Phenotypic switching was observed in SMCs from patients with aneurysms.
  • This switching led to extracellular matrix remodeling and impaired cellular receptor interactions.
  • LDL internalization by SMCs may trigger complement-mediated phagocytosis, potentially driving aneurysm formation.

Conclusions:

  • SMC phenotypic modulation is a significant factor in cardiovascular disease, particularly aneurysms.
  • The study highlights potential mechanisms involving LDL, complement activation, and phagocytosis in aneurysm pathogenesis.

Keywords:
Cardiovascular diseasesLiquid chromatography–mass spectrometryMacrophagesPhagocytosisSmooth muscle cells

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