Angiogenesis within atherosclerotic plaques: Mechanical regulation, molecular mechanism and clinical diagnosis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a disease characterized by focal cholesterol accumulation and insoluble inflammation in arterial intima, leading to the formation of an atherosclerotic plaque consisting of lipids, cells, and fibrous matrix. The presence of plaque can restrict or obstruct blood flow, resultin...

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Main Authors: Hanxiao Chen, Chengxiu Peng, Fei Fang, Yuhao Li, Xiaran Liu, Ying Hu, Guixue Wang, Xiaoheng Liu, Yang Shen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Mechanobiology in Medicine
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949907025000026
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author Hanxiao Chen
Chengxiu Peng
Fei Fang
Yuhao Li
Xiaran Liu
Ying Hu
Guixue Wang
Xiaoheng Liu
Yang Shen
author_facet Hanxiao Chen
Chengxiu Peng
Fei Fang
Yuhao Li
Xiaran Liu
Ying Hu
Guixue Wang
Xiaoheng Liu
Yang Shen
author_sort Hanxiao Chen
collection DOAJ
description Atherosclerosis (AS) is a disease characterized by focal cholesterol accumulation and insoluble inflammation in arterial intima, leading to the formation of an atherosclerotic plaque consisting of lipids, cells, and fibrous matrix. The presence of plaque can restrict or obstruct blood flow, resulting in arterial stenosis and local mechanical microenvironment changes including flow shear stress, vascular matrix stiffness, and plaque structural stress. Neovascularization within the atherosclerotic plaque plays a crucial role in both plaque growth and destabilization, potentially leading to plaque rupture and fatal embolism. However, the exact interactions between neovessels and plaque remain unclear. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the origin of intraplaque neovessels, the contributing factors, underlying molecular mechanisms, and associated signaling pathways. We specifically emphasize the role of mechanical factors contributing to angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaques. Additionally, we summarize the imaging techniques and therapeutic strategies for intraplaque neovessels to enhance our understanding of this field.
format Article
id doaj-art-5573401a0a0c42f8aaab1c67b0ac85a5
institution DOAJ
issn 2949-9070
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Mechanobiology in Medicine
spelling doaj-art-5573401a0a0c42f8aaab1c67b0ac85a52025-08-20T02:59:52ZengElsevierMechanobiology in Medicine2949-90702025-03-013110011410.1016/j.mbm.2025.100114Angiogenesis within atherosclerotic plaques: Mechanical regulation, molecular mechanism and clinical diagnosisHanxiao Chen0Chengxiu Peng1Fei Fang2Yuhao Li3Xiaran Liu4Ying Hu5Guixue Wang6Xiaoheng Liu7Yang Shen8Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, ChinaJinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China; Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, ChinaInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China; Corresponding author. Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China; Corresponding author. Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.Atherosclerosis (AS) is a disease characterized by focal cholesterol accumulation and insoluble inflammation in arterial intima, leading to the formation of an atherosclerotic plaque consisting of lipids, cells, and fibrous matrix. The presence of plaque can restrict or obstruct blood flow, resulting in arterial stenosis and local mechanical microenvironment changes including flow shear stress, vascular matrix stiffness, and plaque structural stress. Neovascularization within the atherosclerotic plaque plays a crucial role in both plaque growth and destabilization, potentially leading to plaque rupture and fatal embolism. However, the exact interactions between neovessels and plaque remain unclear. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the origin of intraplaque neovessels, the contributing factors, underlying molecular mechanisms, and associated signaling pathways. We specifically emphasize the role of mechanical factors contributing to angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaques. Additionally, we summarize the imaging techniques and therapeutic strategies for intraplaque neovessels to enhance our understanding of this field.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949907025000026Atherosclerotic plaqueAngiogenesisShear stressVascular matrix stiffnessPlaque structural stress
spellingShingle Hanxiao Chen
Chengxiu Peng
Fei Fang
Yuhao Li
Xiaran Liu
Ying Hu
Guixue Wang
Xiaoheng Liu
Yang Shen
Angiogenesis within atherosclerotic plaques: Mechanical regulation, molecular mechanism and clinical diagnosis
Mechanobiology in Medicine
Atherosclerotic plaque
Angiogenesis
Shear stress
Vascular matrix stiffness
Plaque structural stress
title Angiogenesis within atherosclerotic plaques: Mechanical regulation, molecular mechanism and clinical diagnosis
title_full Angiogenesis within atherosclerotic plaques: Mechanical regulation, molecular mechanism and clinical diagnosis
title_fullStr Angiogenesis within atherosclerotic plaques: Mechanical regulation, molecular mechanism and clinical diagnosis
title_full_unstemmed Angiogenesis within atherosclerotic plaques: Mechanical regulation, molecular mechanism and clinical diagnosis
title_short Angiogenesis within atherosclerotic plaques: Mechanical regulation, molecular mechanism and clinical diagnosis
title_sort angiogenesis within atherosclerotic plaques mechanical regulation molecular mechanism and clinical diagnosis
topic Atherosclerotic plaque
Angiogenesis
Shear stress
Vascular matrix stiffness
Plaque structural stress
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949907025000026
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