Emerging Topics in Smooth Muscle Cell Fate and Plasticity in Atherosclerosis

Dear Colleagues,

Recent lineage tracing studies in mice, in combination with single-cell technologies, revealed that vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are more abundant in atherosclerotic plaques (accounting for 40-70% of all plaque cells) and more plastic than initially thought. Indeed, VSMC can adopt many different phenotypes, including macrophage-like, foam cell-like, osteochondrogenic-like, and myofibroblast-like cells, a phenomenon called VSMC phenotypic modulation. Since some of these cell fates may be detrimental to plaque stability, identifying signals/mechanisms that maintain or regulate VSMC plasticity is essential to discover new therapeutic targets. Moreover, many technological advancements are emerging, from transcriptomics to metabolomics to high-resolution microscopic imaging, allowing further study of the impact of VSMC plasticity on plaque stability. The final goal is to exploit vascular heterogeneity to either develop strategies for risk stratification of patients or to facilitate the development of new anti-atherosclerotic therapies.

This collection welcomes submissions of research articles and review articles emphasising novel findings on VSMC plasticity and fate. Manuscripts on how other vascular cells (e.g., endothelial cells) affect VSMC plasticity and fate in atherosclerosis are also considered. We aim to bring together basic and translational research covering several aspects of VSMC heterogeneity and plasticity and its relevance for atherosclerosis. 

Dr. Mandy Grootaert
Dr. Julián Albarrán-Juárez
Guest Editors

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