Work

Carotid body hypoxia induces angiogenesis and correlates with glomic artery anatomy and carotid artery atherosclerosis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The carotid body (CB) monitors arterial oxygen and triggers cardiovascular and respiratory responses. We aimed to investigate how carotid artery atherosclerosis and the number and topology of glomic arteries (GAs) affect the expression of hypoxia and angiogenesis marker genes in human CBs. Thirty carotid bifurcations and CBs were harvested, and high-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) data volumes of the carotid arteries and GAs were created. The origin, courses, and lumen occlusion of the GAs and the grade and position of atherosclerotic plaques were evaluated. Real-time qPCR quantified hypoxia, sprouting, and intussusceptive angiogenesis marker genes expression. We demonstrate that the degree of both GA lumen occlusion and carotid artery atherosclerosis correlates with the expression levels of the hypoxia marker gene and all angiogenesis marker genes in both pathways. In addition, we define the minimal and maximal levels of hypoxia and angiogenesis marker genes in CB tissue.

Source: iScience

DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.116482

Authors: Atieh Seyedian Moghaddam, Sara Samanian Baghersad, Andreas Hainfellner, Stefan H. Geyer, Wolfgang J. Weninger

Institution: Medical University of Vienna

Language: English

Topic: Neuroscience of respiration and sleep

Subfield: Endocrine and Autonomic Systems

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,240