Spatial transcriptomics elucidates localized immune responses in atherosclerotic coronary artery
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of lipids and immune cells in the arterial wall, leading to the narrowing and stiffening of blood vessels. Innate and adaptive immunity are involved in the pathogenesis of human atherosclerosis. However, spatial organization and roles of immune cells during disease progression remain poorly understood. A better understanding of the immune response's contribution to atherosclerosis progression could unveil novel therapeutic targets to mitigate plaque development and rupture, ultimately reducing cardiovascular events burden. Here, we utilised GeoMx® and CosMx™ technologies to analyse serial sections of human coronary arteries from patients with varying degrees of atherosclerotic lesion severity. Our work comprises a series of investigations and integrates findings from both datasets, including pathway analyses, cell typing, and neighbourhood analysis. This workflow highlights the power of combining these spatial transcriptomics platforms to elucidate biological processes at the single-cell level. Our approach unbiasedly identifies molecules and pathways of relevance to support the understanding of atherosclerosis pathogenesis and assess the potential for novel therapies.
Source: EMBO Molecular Medicine
Authors: Joana Campos, Jack L McMurray, Michelangelo Certo, Ketaki Hardikar, Chris Morse, Clare Corfield, Bettina M Weigand, Kun Yang, Mohsen Shoaran, Thomas D Otto, Desley Neil, Pasquale Maffia, Claudio Mauro
Institutions: University of Birmingham, University of Glasgow, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Inserm, Université de Montpellier, Laboratory of Pathogens and Host Immunity, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Federico II University Hospital, University of Naples Federico II
Language: English
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $7,990
Awards: G1088238653, G1253938088, Correlating systemic immunophenotyping to imaging characterisation of inflammatory atheroma in patients receiving immunotherapy and angiogenesis inhibitors, G3187015948, Defining the IL-21/IL-21 receptor axis role(s) in atherosclerosis, G3581399459, G3835520201, Glasgow 3rd intake 2019 – 4-year PhD Studentship (4th) Scheme: Ms Gabriella Gerganova; Ms Rebecca Gilchrist; Mr Mohsen Shoaran; Ms Cara Trivett, G490430286, Defining differential role(s) of the TAM receptor Axl in atherosclerosis, G544149491, G5734457667, Defining the individual and integrated roles of inflammatory chemokine receptors (iCCRs) in atherosclerosis, G6853240687, Investigating and exploiting lactate signalling in athero-immunometabolism, G7874474022, G8435950873, G972786147
OpenAlex ID: W4413440711