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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
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Isolation and Identification of Vascular Endothelial Cells from Distinct Adipose Depots for Downstream Applications
Published on: June 10, 2022
ERG preserves endothelial identity to limit atherosclerosis
Steven R Botts1,2, Corey A Scipione1, Kristen Schulz1,3
1Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, UHN Research Institutes, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Nature Communications
|July 13, 2026
Summary
Loss of the ETS transcription factor ERG promotes endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), worsening atherosclerosis. Restoring ERG re-establishes endothelial identity and limits disease progression, highlighting ERG
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Endothelial function is crucial for preventing atherosclerosis.
- Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) contributes to atherogenesis.
- The role of ERG in endothelial identity loss during atherosclerosis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the ETS transcription factor ERG in atheroprogression.
- To determine how ERG loss impacts endothelial identity and EndMT.
- To explore ERG's potential as a therapeutic target in atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Inducible endothelial-specific Erg deletion in hypercholesterolemic mice.
- Lineage tracing and single-cell transcriptomics.
- Analysis of ERG expression and chromatin accessibility in human atherosclerotic plaques.
- In vitro studies restoring ERG in EndMT cells.
Main Results:
- Endothelial Erg deletion significantly increased atherosclerotic plaque burden.
- ERG loss induced endothelial dedifferentiation, mesenchymal transition, and EndMT cell expansion within plaques.
- ERG deficiency disrupted endothelial barrier function, promoting lipid uptake and foam cell formation.
- Reduced ERG expression and accessibility were observed in human atherosclerotic lesions.
- Restoration of ERG reversed mesenchymal phenotypes and re-established endothelial identity in vitro.
Conclusions:
- ERG is a critical regulator of endothelial identity and function.
- ERG loss promotes EndMT and exacerbates atherosclerosis.
- ERG acts as a barrier against EndMT, limiting atherosclerotic disease progression.
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