Same clinical emergency. Different immune biology.
Heart attacks can arise when a coronary plaque ruptures or when its surface erodes. But do these two events trigger the same T cell response?
In our recent study, we investigated this question by profiling T cells in blood collected directly from the affected coronary artery, combining flow cytometry, proteomics, single-cell multiomics, and T-cell receptor sequencing.
The differences were striking: Plaque erosion was associated with an accumulation of clonally expanded memory T cells, alongside regulatory and cytotoxic immune features. Plaque rupture, in contrast, showed a more diverse T-cell repertoire, more naïve-like T cells, and stronger inflammatory responses.
Our findings reveal distinct immune signatures behind two major forms of acute coronary syndrome, providing new insights into their underlying biology and a foundation for future, more precisely targeted therapies.
Congratulations to all co-authors and collaborators!
📑 Read the full study HERE.
No responses yet