Journal article
Vasa vasorum plexus formation in intracranial aneurysm associates with microcalcification and wall thickening
Science advances, v 11(43), eadx4374
24 Oct 2025
PMID: 41124266
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) affect about 3% of the population, often leading to catastrophic outcomes upon rupture. Vasa vasorum, microvessels supplying arterial walls, are conjectured to induce inflammation and leakage in IAs that drive adverse remodeling. Using scanning immunofluorescent multiphoton imaging and micro-computed tomography to visualize intact IA specimens, we identified an extensive vasa vasorum plexus in the IA wall. Our quantitative analyses show significant colocalization of vasa vasorum with calcifications, a strong correlation with increased wall thickness (
= 0.96,
< 0.001), and associations with well-defined multiaxially oriented collagen fibers. These findings highlight a more nuanced role for vasa vasorum, suggesting both adverse and protective remodeling influences, which may critically affect IA rupture risk. Contrary to the prevailing view of vasa vasorum as solely adverse, this study underscores the contribution to IA wall stability and the need to elucidate their functional impact on IA pathophysiology. Hence, these microvessels warrant further investigation for therapeutic targeting.
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Details
- Title
- Vasa vasorum plexus formation in intracranial aneurysm associates with microcalcification and wall thickening
- Creators
- Mukhayyirkhuja Abdurakhmonov - University of PittsburghYasutaka Tobe - University of PittsburghJuan R Cebral - George Mason UniversityAlireza Asadbeygi - University of PittsburghMehdi Ramezanpour - University of PittsburghMasoud Zamani - University of PittsburghSimon C Watkins - University of PittsburghJulie A Phillippi - University of PittsburghAlexander K Yu - Allegheny Health NetworkSepideh Amin-Hanjani - Neurological SurgeryFady T Charbel - University of Illinois ChicagoNaoki Kaneko - University of California, Los AngelesBoyle C Cheng - Allegheny Health NetworkAmir R Dehdashti - Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/NorthwellTimothy White - Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/NorthwellAnne M Robertson (Corresponding Author) - University of Pittsburgh
- Publication Details
- Science advances, v 11(43), eadx4374
- Publisher
- Science
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- National Institutes of Health: 2-R01NS097457, 1S10OD025041, R01NS121286 Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study
his work supported by the National Institutes of Health, grants 2-R01NS097457 {A.M.R. [Principal Investigator (PI)], J.R.C. (PI), Y.T., A.A., M.R., S.C.W., A.K.Y., S.A.-H., F.T.C., B.C.C., A.R.D., and T.W.}, 1S10OD025041 (S.C.W.), and R01NS121286 [N.K. (PI), A.M.R., J.R.C., Y.T., and M.Z.]. A.M.R. would like to acknowledge fellowship support from the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study during the period that this paper was being written.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Surgery; Neurosurgery
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001598753100004
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105019734217
- Other Identifier
- 991022125326004721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Clinical Neurology