Atherosclerotic plaque rupture is a major cause of cerebrovascular events, yet the molecular determinants underlying vulnerability-related plaque morphology, including fibrous cap thickness, remain incompletely defined. Using histomorphology-guided spatial proteomics, here we delineate molecular programmes associated with plaque cap phenotype across discrete plaque subregions. Across 112 carotid endarterectomy specimens, differences between thin-cap and thick-cap plaques were predominantly localised to the necrotic core and fibrous cap. These differences were enriched for processes related to inflammation, lipid handling, extracellular matrix remodelling, and ossification/calcification, and supported the presence of proteome-based plaque subtypes. PCSK9 was among the proteins most strongly associated with thin-cap plaques. Consistently, an in vitro model of necrotic core-like oxidative and inflammatory stress increased PCSK9 secretion in primary vascular smooth muscle cells. Together, these findings localise molecular programmes associated with cap phenotype to plaque compartments and provide a framework for spatially informed biomarker discovery in advanced carotid atherosclerosis.
[doi:10.25345/C5MC8RT94]
[dataset license: CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0)]
Keywords: atherosclerosis ; subregions ; smooth muscle cells ; DatasetType:Proteomics
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Matthias Mann, Proteomics and Signal Transduction Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry Am Klopferspitz 18 D-82152 Martinsried, N/A |
| Submitting User: | oroshi |
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