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Integrated single-cell analysis-based classification of vascular mononuclear phagocytes in mouse and human atherosclerosis
Zernecke A, Erhard F, Weinberger T, Schulz C, Ley K, Saliba AE, Cochain C.. Cardiovascular research, 2023-07-01
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Aims Accumulation of mononuclear phagocytes [monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells (DCs)] in the vessel wall is a hallmark of atherosclerosis. Using integrated single-cell analysis of mouse and human atherosclerosis, we here aimed to refine the nomenclature of mononuclear phagocytes in atherosclerotic vessels and to compare their transcriptomic profiles in mouse and human disease. Methods and results We integrated 12 single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets of immune cells isolated from healthy or atherosclerotic mouse aortas, and data from 11 patients (n = 4 coronary vessels, n = 7 carotid endarterectomy specimens) from two studies.
Key findings
- Using integrated single-cell analysis of mouse and human atherosclerosis, we here aimed to refine the nomenclature of mononuclear phagocytes in atherosclerotic vessels and to compare their transcriptomic profiles in mouse and human disease.
- Methods and results We integrated 12 single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets of immune cells isolated from healthy or atherosclerotic mouse aortas, and data from 11 patients (n = 4 coronary vessels, n = 7 carotid endarterectomy specimens) from two studies.
- Integration of mouse data identified subpopulations with discrete transcriptomic signatures within previously described populations of aortic resident (Lyve1), inflammatory (Il1b), as well as foamy (Trem2hi) macrophages.
- We identified unique transcriptomic features distinguishing aortic intimal resident macrophages from atherosclerosis-associated Trem2hi macrophages.
Why it matters
This study classified immune cells in the blood vessel walls of mice and humans with atherosclerosis, not Alzheimer's disease. It provides no information about treating, curing or preventing Alzheimer's.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 52/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Cardiovascular research) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Cardiovascular Research: journal h-index 299 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 3 / 5 | 2023 — within 6 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Laboratory or animal study (title names “mouse”) — scores zero |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 192 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 38.4 citations a year over 5 year(s) since 2023 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 11.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 2 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 158 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Clément Cochain: h-index 37 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | University of California San Diego: institution h-index 1,852 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 3 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 10 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 36190844) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 52 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac161
- PubMed: 36190844
- Original source →
- Free full text: Cardiovascular Research →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record names 7 authors; APA and Vancouver show the first six, BibTeX and the downloads carry all of them. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Zernecke, A., Erhard, F., Weinberger, T., Schulz, C., Ley, K., Saliba, A. E., et al. (2023). Integrated single-cell analysis-based classification of vascular mononuclear phagocytes in mouse and human atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular research. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvac161
Vancouver
Zernecke A, Erhard F, Weinberger T, Schulz C, Ley K, Saliba AE, et al. Integrated single-cell analysis-based classification of vascular mononuclear phagocytes in mouse and human atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular research. 2023. doi:10.1093/cvr/cvac161. PMID: 36190844.
BibTeX
@article{zernecke2023-36190844,
author = {Zernecke, A. and Erhard, F. and Weinberger, T. and Schulz, C. and Ley, K. and Saliba, A. E. and Cochain, C.},
title = {{Integrated single-cell analysis-based classification of vascular mononuclear phagocytes in mouse and human atherosclerosis}},
journal = {Cardiovascular research},
year = {2023},
doi = {10.1093/cvr/cvac161},
pmid = {36190844},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvac161}
}
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