Single-Cell Transcriptomics Reveals Crucial Cell Subsets and Functional Heterogeneity Associated With Carotid Atherosclerosis and Cerebrovascular Events

Carotid atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder and is responsible for the vast majority of ischemic strokes. Inappropriate innate and adaptive immune responses synergize with malfunctional vascular wall cells to cause atherosclerotic lesions. Yet, functional characteristics of specific immune and endothelial cell subsets associated with atherosclerosis and cerebrovascular events are poorly understood.