Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
09:06
Quantitative Analysis of Cellular Composition in Advanced Atherosclerotic Lesions of Smooth Muscle Cell Lineage-Tracing Mice
Published on: February 20, 2019
FOXC1 Controls Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation and Plasticity in Vascular Disease
Urszula Rykaczewska1, Bianca E Suur2, Sampath Narayanan3
1Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
JACC. Basic to Translational Science
|May 13, 2026
Summary
FOXC1 is a key regulator in vascular injury and atherosclerosis, influencing smooth muscle cell behavior. Targeting FOXC1 may offer new therapeutic strategies for coronary artery disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Transcription factors regulating smooth muscle cells are linked to coronary artery disease (CAD).
- Genome-wide association studies highlight the translational potential of these factors for therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of FOXC1 as a transcriptional regulator in vascular injury and atherosclerotic lesions.
- To determine the functional impact of FOXC1 on smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype and its causal implication in CAD.
Main Methods:
- Utilized genome-wide association studies and functional assays.
- Investigated FOXC1's regulatory effects on SMC pathways including cell adhesion, cell cycle, and cytoskeleton organization.
Main Results:
- FOXC1 identified as a major transcriptional regulator in vascular injury and atherosclerotic lesions.
- FOXC1 causally implicated in the development of coronary artery disease.
- FOXC1 modulates SMC activation and quiescence by regulating key cellular pathways.
Conclusions:
- FOXC1 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of CAD.
- FOXC1's regulation of SMCs presents a potential therapeutic target for promoting lesion stability.
- Further research is needed to elucidate FOXC1's mechanisms and therapeutic targeting potential.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits. Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
01:12Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
01:16TGF - β Signaling Pathway
The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
01:22Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
01:09Introduction to Fibroblasts
Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...