JVS-vascular science最新文献

{"title":"TLNRD1-CCM2 interaction maintains endothelial actin networks through a KLF2/4-independent mechanism","authors":"Yuchong Zhang MD,&nbsp;Shouji Qiu MD,&nbsp;Chengkai Hu MD,&nbsp;Weiguo Fu MD, PhD,&nbsp;Chenji Wang PhD,&nbsp;Lixin Wang MD, PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100428","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100428","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Actin cytoskeleton dysregulation contributes to vascular anomalies such as cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM). Talin rod domain containing-1 (TLNRD1) has been reported to interact with cerebral cavernous malformations 2 protein (CCM2), yet the downstream signaling remains debated, as previous studies have described opposite directions of Krueppel-like factor 2/4 (KLF2/4) changes after TLNRD1 depletion. Here, we combined biochemical analyses, structural modeling, transcriptomics, and single-cell network perturbation to examine the TLNRD1-CCM2 axis in endothelial cells. Coimmunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry confirmed the association between TLNRD1 and the CCM complex. Furthermore, protein docking predicted a stable TLNRD1-CCM2 interface (ΔG ≈ −50.36 kcal/mol) supported by prominent hydrogen bonds. Bulk RNA sequencing following TLNRD1 knockdown identified 677 differentially expressed genes, which were heavily enriched for actin cytoskeleton organization, with limited support for activation of the canonical MEKK3-KLF2/4 program. To assess KLF2/4 more directly, we analyzed human CCM single-cell RNA sequencing using scTenifoldKnk alongside complementary in vitro perturbations. Across these orthogonal analyses, KLF2 and KLF4 showed little to no consistent transcriptional alterations. Instead, TLNRD1 perturbation prominently altered endothelial F-actin stress fiber formation. Together, these data support a model in which TLNRD1 preferentially modulates endothelial cytoskeletal remodeling largely independent of overt KLF2/4 transcriptional shifts, helping to contextualize previous discrepancies and refining our understanding of its role in vascular biology.</div></div><div><h3>Clinical Relevance</h3><div>Current management of cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) remains limited by an incomplete understanding of the molecular basis of endothelial instability. This study identifies TLNRD1 as a CCM2-associated regulator of endothelial actin organization and cytoskeletal remodeling, while showing limited support for consistent KLF2/4 transcriptional changes. For clinicians, these findings add mechanistic context to a disease with few medical options and may help explain earlier conflicting experimental observations. Although direct clinical application is not immediate, the TLNRD1-CCM2 axis warrants further study as a biologically relevant pathway that may inform future translational research on cerebrovascular lesion progression.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74035,"journal":{"name":"JVS-vascular science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100428"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13355377/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148427029","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microregional RNA sequencing reveals layer-specific smooth muscle cell heterogeneity in human bicuspid aortic valve-associated aortic dilatation","authors":"Shigeki Koizumi MD,&nbsp;Chiho Tokunaga MD, PhD,&nbsp;Keiichi Asano PhD,&nbsp;Kenichi Kimura PhD,&nbsp;Hiroko Matsunaga PhD,&nbsp;Eri Motoyama BS,&nbsp;Hnin Htet Htet Aung BS,&nbsp;Kaori Sugiyama PhD,&nbsp;Haruko Takeyama PhD,&nbsp;Yuji Hiramatsu MD, PhD,&nbsp;Hiromi Yanagisawa MD, PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100444","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100444","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Smooth muscle cells in the human ascending aorta exhibit layer-specific heterogeneity; however, their molecular profiles and contribution to aortic diseases remain poorly understood. In this study, we applied microregional RNA sequencing to characterize layer-specific transcriptomic signatures and investigate the differences between bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) aortopathy.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Dilated ascending aortic wall samples were obtained from nine patients who underwent ascending aorta replacement concomitant with aortic valve replacement: five with BAV and four with TAV. Microdissected tissues were collected from four distinct layers in media using a micro-punching device. RNA was extracted and sequenced, and the transcriptomic differences across the layers and between BAV- and TAV-dilated aortas were analyzed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Microregional RNA sequencing revealed significant upregulation of several extracellular matrix remodeling genes in the innermost layer, including <em>FN1</em>, <em>VCAN</em>, <em>MGP</em>, and <em>POSTN</em>. Among them, <em>POSTN</em> was further validated at the protein level, confirming its upregulation in the innermost layer, supporting the validity of this analysis. Next, the transcriptional differences between BAV- and TAV-dilated aortas across individual layers were analyzed. The gene expression differences were the most prominent in the innermost layer. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that epithelial-mesenchymal transition and transforming growth factor β signaling-related genes were enriched in BAV-dilated aortas. In contrast, inflammation-related genes were enriched in TAV-dilated aortas. We also evaluated the pathways associated with the genes implicated in BAV formation to identify potential upstream mechanisms, revealing that mechanosensing-related genes are coordinately suppressed in BAV-dilated aortas.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The present study demonstrated the application of microregional RNA sequencing to human aortic tissue, revealing layer-specific transcriptomic differences in aortic diseases. The differences in gene-set-level findings indicate distinct biological contexts and mechanisms in BAV- and TAV-dilated aortas, particularly in the innermost media layer. This approach is useful for assessing layer-specific profiles in aortic diseases.</div></div><div><h3>Clinical relevance</h3><div>This study identified layer-specific heterogeneity within the human aorta, with molecular alterations in the innermost medial layer potentially contributing to differences between TAV- and BAV-associated aortopathy. The findings suggest that layer-specific transcriptome profiles differ across disease types. Accordingly, diagnostic approaches and therapeutic strategies may be more effective when tailored to specific aortic regions and their underlying molecular characteristics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74035,"journal":{"name":"JVS-vascular science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100444"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149211366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Montelukast attenuates abdominal aortic aneurysm in rats: Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects","authors":"Gözde Tekin MD ,&nbsp;Özge Çevik PhD ,&nbsp;Şule Çetinel MD ,&nbsp;Göksel Şener PhD ,&nbsp;Mehmet Kızılay MD","doi":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2025.100405","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2025.100405","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Oxidative stress and inflammation are widely recognized as central mechanisms in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm. This study sought to examine the potential protective properties of montelukast in a rat model of aortic aneurysm.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into three experimental groups. Abdominal aortic aneurysm was induced using the calcium chloride (CaCl₂) model, in which gauze soaked in 0.5 M CaCl₂ was placed directly onto the adventitial surface of the infrarenal abdominal aorta for 15 minutes. After induction, the treatment group received daily intraperitoneal injections of montelukast (10 mg/kg) for 4 consecutive weeks. At the study end point, animals were euthanized, and infrarenal aortic tissues were harvested for biochemical and histological evaluations. Measured parameters included matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 expression, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine levels. Antioxidant capacity was assessed through superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity assays. Histopathological examinations were performed, and statistical analysis was conducted using GraphPad Prism v.5.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Exposure to CaCl₂ triggered pronounced oxidative injury and inflammation, as evidenced by elevated 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine levels, increased MPO activity, reduced SOD activity, and upregulated MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. Montelukast administration markedly attenuated these changes, normalizing oxidative and inflammatory markers while improving histopathological architecture.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Montelukast effectively counteracted CaCl₂-induced aortic damage. The protective effects of montelukast appear to be mediated through suppression of MMP activity, restoration of SOD levels, and reduction of MPO-driven oxidative injury. By mitigating both inflammatory and oxidative mechanisms, montelukast contributes to the preservation of aortic wall structure.</div></div><div><h3>Clinical Relevance</h3><div>Abdominal aortic aneurysm remains a major vascular disorder without an effective pharmacological therapy to slow its progression. In this experimental study, montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist widely used in asthma, attenuated abdominal aortic aneurysm formation in rats and was associated with increased superoxide dismutase activity, reduced myeloperoxidase levels, and suppressed matrix metalloproteinase activation. These combined antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and matrix-stabilizing effects preserved aortic wall integrity. Given montelukast's established safety and clinical availability, these findings support its potential for future clinical investigation as a pharmacological approach to limit aneurysm progression.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74035,"journal":{"name":"JVS-vascular science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100405"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145927781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adipocyte renin-angiotensin system signaling in periaortic fat: Neutral findings with mechanistic implications","authors":"Bowen Wang PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2025.100398","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2025.100398","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":74035,"journal":{"name":"JVS-vascular science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100398"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145927782","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Regarding “Serum levels of neurofilament light chain and glial fibrillary acid protein in patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic carotid artery stenosis”","authors":"Kishankumar Mahida MD,&nbsp;Snehal Rajendra Jagtap PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100414","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100414","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":74035,"journal":{"name":"JVS-vascular science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100414"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147538357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Growth rate, diameter at rupture, and associated patient characteristics of abdominal aortic aneurysms without an intraluminal thrombus","authors":"Moritz Lindquist Liljeqvist MD, PhD,&nbsp;Asta Joshi MD,&nbsp;Antti Siika MD, PhD,&nbsp;Marko Bogdanovic MD, PhD,&nbsp;Patricia Andersson MSc,&nbsp;Stefan Stoisavljevic MD,&nbsp;Rebecka Hultgren MD, PhD,&nbsp;Joy Roy MD, PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100430","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100430","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The aim of this study was to provide clinical and prognostic data on the small share of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) devoid of an intraluminal thrombus (ILT).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Three retrospective samples were studied: electively treated patients (n = 234, growth rates available for n = 158 and an early baseline computed tomography [CT] available for n = 128), patients with rupture (n = 133), and those followed in surveillance (n = 161). Growth rates of electively treated AAAs were calculated based on all measurements preceding surgery. ILT thickness was measured perpendicularly to the aneurysms’ centerline and was defined as <em>absent</em> if no intraluminal contrast deficit was detected, <em>minimal</em> if the ILT thickness was &lt;5 mm, and <em>present</em> when ≥5 mm.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>ILT was absent and minimal in 4.8% and 3.2%, respectively, in the preoperative CT of the electively treated AAAs. Patients with absent/minimal ILT appeared to suffer less cardiovascular burden, but there were no differences in anticoagulation. Absent/minimal ILT was associated with a smaller AAA diameter at baseline (<em>P</em> = 1.6e-5) and at the last preoperative CT (<em>P</em> = .0048). There were however no associations between absent/minimal ILT and growth after a baseline CT (n = 128; <em>P</em> = .67) or preceding a preoperative CT (n = 158; <em>P</em> = .091; <em>P</em> adjusted for diameter = 0.27). There were similar shares of absent/minimal ILTs in the elective and ruptured AAA groups (8% and 9%, respectively, <em>P</em> = .66). AAAs with absent/minimal ILTs ruptured at smaller aneurysm diameters (median, 68 vs 79 mm; <em>P</em> = .036) and absent/minimal ILT was associated with rupture adjusted for diameter (<em>P</em> = .037) but not when also adjusting for other patient characteristics (<em>P</em> = .89). Similar results were observed in the cohort of patients with AAAs under surveillance.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The absence of ILT is more common in smaller AAAs but is not associated with growth rate. AAAs without ILT seem to rupture at smaller diameters, but ILT absence is not an independent rupture risk factor.</div></div><div><h3>Clinical Relevance</h3><div>The present study analyzed patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) that do not develop an intraluminal thrombus (ILT). It was shown that the absence of ILT was associated with smaller maximal diameters in asymptomatic and ruptured AAAs, but there was no difference in growth rate between the groups, and the absence of ILT was not an independent risk factor for rupture. Collectively, these data did not support specific management considerations in patients with AAAs without an ILT.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74035,"journal":{"name":"JVS-vascular science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100430"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148735616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"People living with lower extremity peripheral artery disease demonstrate vascular regenerative cell deficiencies: The PAD-VRCE CardioLink-17 study","authors":"Jack H. Casey MSc,&nbsp;Michael Moroney MSc,&nbsp;Hwee Teoh PhD,&nbsp;Aishwarya Krishnaraj PhD,&nbsp;Adrian Quan MPhil,&nbsp;Yi Pan MD,&nbsp;Fallon Dennis BMSc,&nbsp;Arianna Z. He BMSc,&nbsp;Brady Park PhD,&nbsp;Raj Verma,&nbsp;Elizabeth Misner,&nbsp;Syed M. Ali Hassan MD,&nbsp;Cole J. Dennis MASc,&nbsp;Gus Meglis MD,&nbsp;C. David Mazer MD,&nbsp;Charles de Mestral MDCM, PhD,&nbsp;Mohamad A. Hussain MD, PhD,&nbsp;Graham Roche-Nagle MD, MBA,&nbsp;Gerard F. Curley MB, BCh, BAO, MSc, PhD,&nbsp;David A. Hess PhD,&nbsp;Subodh Verma MD, PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100440","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100440","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Vascular regenerative cell exhaustion (VRCE), a shift in the circulating progenitor cell profile, has been linked with adverse cardiometabolic outcomes. Whether VRCE is also involved in the pathogenesis and vascular repair mechanisms of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is unknown. In this study, we sought to compare the circulating vascular regenerative cell content of adults living with PAD with those without PAD.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>PAD-VRCE CardioLink-17 (<span><span>NCT06626646</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>) was an observational cross-sectional study of 20 adults with symptomatic PAD and 20 without PAD. Circulating progenitor cell profiles were documented using a multiparametric flow cytometry assay based on the differential expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in provascular progenitor cells combined with primitive and/or lineage-specific hematopoietic or endothelial cell markers.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Individuals with PAD had a median (range) ankle brachial index of 0.82 (0.35-0.84). The two groups were well-matched for age and gender, but individuals with PAD had higher rates of dyslipidemia, higher weight, and blood pressure. Those with PAD had fewer circulating ALDH^hiSSC^lowCD133⁺ (44.0 ± 3.4% vs 49.7 ± 3.0%; <em>P</em> &lt; .001) and ALDH^hiSSC^lowCD34⁺CD133⁺ (42.5 ± 4.9% vs 49.0 ± 4.9%; <em>P</em> &lt; .001) cells, representing rare multipotent myeloid progenitors with vessel repair function. Individuals with PAD also had fewer ALDH^hiSSC^midCD86⁺CD163⁻ monocytes (2.5 ± 2.4% vs 4.1 ± 2.1%; <em>P</em> = .001), indicating a reduced monocytic contribution to systemic inflammation. By contrast, participants with PAD exhibited a higher frequency of ALDH^hiSSC^hi granulocyte precursors (0.48 ± 0.4% vs 0.22 ± 0.1%; <em>P</em> = .008), the primary drivers of systemic inflammation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our findings provide evidence of a novel association between PAD and the well-documented VRCE phenotype. Accordingly, reversal of VRCE may represent a potential therapeutic target in patients with PAD.</div></div><div><h3>Clinical relevance</h3><div>Vascular regenerative cell exhaustion may contribute to peripheral artery disease and may represent a novel and viable therapeutic opportunity for peripheral artery disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74035,"journal":{"name":"JVS-vascular science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100440"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149050534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Histomorphologic characteristics of abdominal aortic aneurysm samples are similar in abdominal-only vs thoracoabdominal involvement","authors":"Marvin Kapalla MD,&nbsp;Heiner Nebelung MD,&nbsp;Anna Klimova PhD,&nbsp;Anja Hofmann PhD,&nbsp;Nadja Sachs PhD,&nbsp;Albert Busch MD, PhD,&nbsp;Maja Carina Nackenhorst MD","doi":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100424","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100424","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The abdominal aorta is the most frequent site of aneurysm development including mostly localized abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) but also more extensive pathologies like thoracoabdominal aneurysms (TAAAs). This study compares histologic features including inflammation, fibrosis, and angiogenesis in samples from the abdominal aneurysm wall from patients with AAAs (n = 272) and TAAAs (n = 24) after open repair. Both cohorts show a similar pathomorphology and a patient-centered propensity score–matching for age, sex, clinical presentation, maximum diameter, comorbidities, smoking, and basic medication reveals no significant differences for the basic histologic features investigated. These exploratory results can be interpreted towards a possible transferability of basic and translational research results for a nonsurgical treatment of patients with AAAs and TAAAs.</div></div><div><h3>Clinical Relevance</h3><div>Abdominal aortic aneurysm is by far the most frequent aortic aneurysm—yet basic scientific knowledge is limited, and clinical studies on aneurysm growth abrogation have not shown beneficial effects. Data and understanding on more extensive disease, such as thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms is even more scarce. This manuscript provides a first hint that pathomechanisms based on histomorphology might be comparable between abdominal aortic aneurysm samples and abdominal wall samples from patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms in a well-matched propensity-scored analysis. Thus, results from translational research on aneurysm growth alterations could be applicable for both entities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74035,"journal":{"name":"JVS-vascular science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100424"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13312072/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148354840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the transferability of micro-computed tomography (CT)-based plaque segmentation to clinical CT using super-resolution: Limits and emerging perspectives","authors":"Salomé H. Kuntz MD, PhD,&nbsp;Katherine Morales PhD,&nbsp;Hugo Gangloff PhD,&nbsp;Yohan Petetin PhD,&nbsp;Anne Lejay MD, PhD,&nbsp;Nabil Chakfé MD, PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100429","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100429","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Noninvasive plaque characterization remains limited in peripheral arterial obstructive disease (PAOD), whereas ex vivo micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) enables quasihistological assessment. This study evaluates whether plaque-related structural information—defined as compositional and morphological plaque features learned from micro-CT segmentation—can be transferred to clinical computed tomography (CT) using a super-resolution (SR) framework. Popliteal artery segments from six patients with peripheral arterial obstructive disease were analyzed using micro-CT and histology. Annotated micro-CT images were used to train convolutional neural networks for plaque segmentation. Low-resolution clinical CT images were upsampled using a Laplacian pyramid SR approach, and segmentation models were applied without retraining. Performance was assessed using Dice scores on held-out micro-CT test data, and segmentation outputs on SR-CT images were qualitatively evaluated. Segmentation of calcified plaque components on micro-CT test images yielded Dice scores ranging from 0.58 to 0.67, indicating low-to-intermediate agreement. When applied to SR-CT images, segmentation revealed nonrandom identification of calcified structures in selected image sequences, with marked heterogeneity across slices. SR enables exploratory assessment of plaque information transfer but does not overcome the fundamental resolution gap. These findings define the current limits of CT-based plaque characterization and provide a framework for evaluating future imaging technologies.</div></div><div><h3>Clinical Relevance</h3><div>Accurate plaque characterization remains a major unmet need in peripheral arterial disease, where treatment planning is largely guided by lesion length and stenosis severity rather than plaque composition. This study proposes using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) as a histology-informed reference to evaluate how much plaque-related information can be transferred to clinical CT. By explicitly defining current limitations, our findings caution against premature clinical application while informing future developments in advanced CT technologies, multimodal imaging, and artificial intelligence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74035,"journal":{"name":"JVS-vascular science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100429"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13393156/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148581532","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Retrograde aortic endograft side-branch design is associated with delayed cervical branch filling: A fluid mechanics scaling analysis","authors":"Sanjeev Dhara MD ,&nbsp;Kameel Khabaz BS ,&nbsp;Mason McIntyre BS ,&nbsp;Noor Malo ,&nbsp;Miroslav Peev MD ,&nbsp;Luka Pocivavsek MD, PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100419","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvssci.2026.100419","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although perioperative stroke is a recognized risk in thoracic endovascular aortic arch repair, the long-term impact of altered cervical flow resulting from different device configurations is underappreciated. We compared angiographic data from two aortic stents, with anatomical (in-line) and nonanatomical (retrograde inner branch) configurations, and demonstrated a persistent filling delay in the retrograde inner branch device. Using computational fluid dynamic modeling, we demonstrated that parameters such as turbulence, vorticity, and Q-criterion are elevated in an idealized retrograde inner branch geometry. By way of a fluid mechanic scaling analysis, we show that the retrograde inner branch configuration results in a larger Dean number, thereby explaining our observed angiographic and computational modeling results. Our work should prompt further investigation regarding the long-term impact of branch configuration and altered cervical blood flow.</div></div><div><h3>Clinical Relevance</h3><div>Thoracic endovascular aortic arch repair is growing in prevalence. Perioperative stroke risk remains a major risk factor. A less studied phenomenon is the impact of differing branch configurations on long-term hemodynamics. This work compared angiographic data from two devices with differing branch flow configurations: antegrade vs retrograde. A persistent cervical branch filling was noted in the retrograde branch device. We applied fluid mechanic scaling analysis and validated with computational modeling to show that the retrograde branch configuration is promoting of disturbed flow. This work should promote further clinical investigation regarding long-term impact of branch configuration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74035,"journal":{"name":"JVS-vascular science","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100419"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147797287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}