PXD064315

PXD064315 is an original dataset announced via ProteomeXchange.

Title	Study on biomarkers of homocysteine-induced transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells into foam cells
Description	Objective: Foam cells, predominantly originating from vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and macrophages, are a hallmark of atherosclerotic plaque development. Strategies aimed at inhibiting foam cell formation have emerged as pivotal for atherosclerosis (AS) prevention and therapy. Homocysteine (Hcy), recognized as an independent risk factor for AS, has been shown to trigger the phenotypic transition of VSMCs into foam cells; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain incompletely elucidated. The present study aimed to identify crucial regulatory proteins and elucidate the mechanistic pathways involved in Hcy-induced foam cell formation from VSMCs, thereby offering a theoretical framework for AS intervention. Methods: VSMCs were allocated into two groups: a control cohort and a group exposed to Hcy to simulate an AS-like state. Quantitative proteomic profiling was performed using 4D Fast-DIA approach to detect differentially expressed proteins between these groups. To explore functional implications, enrichment analyses involving Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were conducted. Protein-protein interaction networks were constructed using the STRING database to identify central interactors. Target proteins were subsequently validated through parallel reaction monitoring (PRM). Furthermore, histological analyses including hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, Oil Red O staining, Western blot, and biochemical analysis were utilized to confirm the role and mechanism of identified proteins in the context of Hcy-driven foam cell conversion. Results: Proteomic analysis identified 4804 proteins, with 4799 proteins being quantitatively comparable. A total of 54 proteins displayed significant differential expression based on thresholds of p < 0.05 and fold change > 1.5 or < 1/1.5. Among them, 13 proteins were upregulated, while 41 were downregulated in response to Hcy treatment. PRM validation focused on 16 candidate proteins: COX7C, STX5, UBQLN2, DDX50, TBCB, GSR, PCNP, CDV3, PEBP1, PPIA, S100A6, EIF4E2, UBQLN1, ARMC1, NUDCD2, and H1-2. Histological staining demonstrated enhanced lipid accumulation and morphological changes indicative of foam cell transformation in Hcy-treated VSMCs. The protein levels of COX7C, and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP1C and SREBP2) were elevated upon Hcy exposure. Overexpression of COX7C further augmented the expression of SREBP1C and SREBP2, exacerbated lipid accumulation, and promoted foam cell transformation in Hcy-treated VSMCs. On the other hand, knockdown of COX7C had the opposite effects. Conclusion: COX7C serves as a central regulatory protein in Hcy-induced transformation of VSMCs into foam cells. Its pathogenic role is likely mediated through the upregulation of SREBP1C and SREBP2, thereby promoting lipid accumulation. These findings provide new insights into AS pathogenesis and identify COX7C as a potential therapeutic target.
HostingRepository	PRIDE
AnnounceDate	2026-02-16
AnnouncementXML	Submission_2026-02-15_16:21:20.176.xml
DigitalObjectIdentifier
ReviewLevel	Peer-reviewed dataset
DatasetOrigin	Original dataset
RepositorySupport	Unsupported dataset by repository
PrimarySubmitter	minghao zhang
SpeciesList	scientific name: Homo sapiens (Human); NCBI TaxID: NEWT:9606;
ModificationList	No PTMs are included in the dataset
Instrument	timsTOF Pro

Revision	Datetime	Status	ChangeLog Entry
0	2025-05-26 18:57:07	ID requested
⏵ 1	2026-02-15 16:21:21	announced

10.1038/s41598-026-38763-6;

Wang X, Ma X, Zhang X, Ma X, Zhang M, Study on biomarkers of homocysteine-induced transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells into foam cells. Sci Rep, 16(1):(2026) [pubmed]

submitter keyword: Atherosclerosis

homocysteine

biomarkers

proteomics

PRM

Minghao Zhang
contact affiliation	Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases Research of National Health Commission, Ningxia Key Laboratory of Vascular Injury and Repair Research, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
contact email	zhangmh270@163.com
lab head
minghao zhang
contact affiliation	Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases Research of National Health Commission,Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
contact email	zhangmh270@163.com
dataset submitter

Dataset FTP location NOTE: Most web browsers have now discontinued native support for FTP access within the browser window. But you can usually install another FTP app (we recommend FileZilla) and configure your browser to launch the external application when you click on this FTP link. Or otherwise, launch an app that supports FTP (like FileZilla) and use this address: ftp://ftp.pride.ebi.ac.uk/pride/data/archive/2026/02/PXD064315

PRIDE project URI

• PRIDE
  1. PXD064315
     1. Label: PRIDE project
     2. Name: Study on biomarkers of homocysteine-induced transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells into foam cells