Genomic Regulation and Translational Potential of a Novel Smooth Muscle Cell-Derived Cell Type in Atherosclerosis

Project Narrative Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) play major roles in atherosclerosis, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent studies, including ours, applying SMC-lineage tracing murine models, human atherosclerosis plaques, and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), revealed novel SMC-derived cells during progression of atherosclerosis. The research outlined in this proposal aims to reveal molecular mechanisms governing a novel SMC-derived cell type in atherosclerosis and modulating functions of this cell type in established atherosclerosis and during disease regression, which will contribute to critical efforts to identify and understand novel molecular and cellular targets for prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic CVD.