Ferroptosis in Atherosclerotic Arteries: Mechanistic Insights, Cell-Specific Vulnerabilities, Potential Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Avenues

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Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of myocardial infarctions and ischemic strokes, with residual risk linked to vascular inflammation and oxidative stress.
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Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death, may contribute to endothelial dysfunction and necrotic core expansion in atherosclerotic plaques.
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Current understanding of ferroptosis in atherosclerosis is limited by inconsistent definitions and reliance on non-specific oxidative stress markers.
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Cell-type-specific vulnerabilities to ferroptosis are influenced by factors such as disturbed flow, dyslipidemia, and innate immune signaling.
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Identifying ferroptosis-specific signatures in human tissues is essential for developing clinically actionable risk assessment strategies.

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