Träuble, K. ; Munz, M.* ; Pauli, J.* ; Sachs, N.* ; Vafadarnejad, E.* ; Carrillo-Roa, T.* ; Maegdefessel, L.* ; Kastner, P.* ; Heinig, M.
Integrated single-cell atlas of human atherosclerotic plaques.
Nat. Commun. 16:8255 (2025)
Atherosclerosis, a major cause of cardiovascular diseases, is characterized by the buildup of lipids and chronic inflammation in the arteries, leading to plaque formation and potential rupture. Despite recent advances in single-cell transcriptomics (scRNA-seq), the underlying immune mechanisms and transformations in structural cells driving plaque progression remain incompletely defined. Existing datasets often lack comprehensive coverage and consistent annotations, limiting the utility of downstream analyses. Here, we present an integrated single-cell atlas of human atherosclerotic plaques, covering roughly 250k high-quality annotated cells. We achieve robust cell type annotations validated by expert consensus and surface protein measurements. Using this atlas, we introduce distinct markers for plaque neutrophils, identify a proangiogenic endothelial cell cluster enriched in advanced lesions, and specialized macrophage subsets. We also establish that fibromyocytes are exclusive to vascular tissue. This comprehensive atlas enables accurate automatic cell type annotation of new datasets, improves experimental design by guiding sample size and detection power, and supports the deconvolution of bulk RNA-seq data. An interactive WebUI makes these resources widely accessible.
Impact Factor
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Times Cited
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Publikationstyp
Artikel: Journalartikel
Dokumenttyp
Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
Typ der Hochschulschrift
Herausgeber
Schlagwörter
Vascular-lesions; Histological Classification; Arteriosclerosis; Macrophages; Definition; Committee; Council; Expression; Landscape; Arteries
Keywords plus
Sprache
englisch
Veröffentlichungsjahr
2025
Prepublished im Jahr
0
HGF-Berichtsjahr
2025
ISSN (print) / ISBN
2041-1723
e-ISSN
2041-1723
ISBN
Bandtitel
Konferenztitel
Konferzenzdatum
Konferenzort
Konferenzband
Quellenangaben
Band: 16,
Heft: 1,
Seiten: ,
Artikelnummer: 8255
Supplement: ,
Reihe
Verlag
Nature Publishing Group
Verlagsort
London
Tag d. mündl. Prüfung
0000-00-00
Betreuer
Gutachter
Prüfer
Topic
Hochschule
Hochschulort
Fakultät
Veröffentlichungsdatum
0000-00-00
Anmeldedatum
0000-00-00
Anmelder/Inhaber
weitere Inhaber
Anmeldeland
Priorität
Begutachtungsstatus
Peer reviewed
POF Topic(s)
30205 - Bioengineering and Digital Health
Forschungsfeld(er)
Enabling and Novel Technologies
PSP-Element(e)
G-553500-001
Förderungen
Projekt DEAL
DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research)
Chan Zuckerberg Foundation
DFG
Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care through the DigiMed Bayern project on P4 medicine
ERC Consolidator Grant LongTX
Helmholtz Association
Copyright
Erfassungsdatum
2025-10-20