Inflammatory Neovascularization and Vascular Remodeling Associated With Carotid Plaque Destabilization
Xuejiao Dai1, Jia Huang1, Feihua Ni1
1Department of Health Management Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics
|June 19, 2026
Summary
Inflammation drives plaque instability. This study reveals specific endothelial cells in the atherosclerotic core promote neovascularization, while changes in vascular smooth muscle cells in adjacent regions drive remodeling, destabilizing carotid plaques.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Atherosclerosis Research
- Single-cell Genomics
Background:
- Inflammatory responses in carotid plaques contribute to neovascularization and vascular remodeling.
- These processes can lead to plaque destabilization and increased risk of cardiovascular events.
- Understanding the cellular basis of these changes is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific cellular subpopulations responsible for pathological neovascularization.
- To investigate the cellular mechanisms underlying vascular remodeling in different plaque regions.
- To elucidate the role of distinct cell types in carotid plaque instability.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell RNA sequencing was employed to analyze cellular composition.
- Carotid plaques were dissected into atherosclerotic core (AC) and proximal adjacent (PA) regions.
- Systematic analysis of cellular distribution and function was performed.
Main Results:
- Endothelial cell subsets driving neovascularization were identified in the AC.
- The PA region showed decreased contractile vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and increased osteogenic VSMCs, contributing to remodeling.
- Fibroblast-mediated inflammation was enriched in the PA, while AC contained macrophages involved in lipid metabolism and immune responses.
Conclusions:
- Specific endothelial cell subpopulations in the AC mediate pathological neovascularization.
- Altered VSMC populations (reduced contractile, increased osteogenic) in the PA contribute to vascular remodeling.
- These cellular changes collectively promote carotid plaque instability.
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