Research progress on vascular smooth muscle cell heterogeneity and atherosclerosis
Guo Pengrong
Qin Zhenbai
Zhang Leli
Zou Yi
Wu Xiaofan
Abstract：The occurrence and development of atherosclerosis are closely related to the phenotypic hetero-geneity of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs).Studies have shown that VSMCs exhibit remarkable plasticity and can transdifferentiate into multiple phenotypes in the plaque microenvironment,participating in plaque forma-tion.This process is regulated at multiple levels,including transcription factors,epigenetics,and signaling path-ways.During plaque progression,VSMCs play a dual role:they can either stabilize plaques or exacerbate plaque instability.Therefore,targeted regulation of VSMC phenotypic transition has become a novel therapeutic strategy.In the future,it is necessary to combine spatial omics and other technologies to further clarify their dynamic evolu-tion and promote clinical translation.
Keywords：AtherosclerosisVascular smooth muscle cellsPhenotypic switchingPlaque stability
Publication Date：2026-05-18
Online Publishing Date：2026-09-14(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 768-772 )