Molecular Mapping of Atherosclerotic Plaques with MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging
5 affiliations
- 1Rzeszów Center for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
- 2Department of Biochemistry and General Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
- 3English Division Science Club, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
- 4Department of Internal Diseases, Angiology and Physical Medicine, Center for Laser Diagnostics and Therapy, Medical University of Silesia, Batorego 15, 41-902 Bytom, Poland
- 5Department of Photomedicine and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
Abstract
Atherosclerosis develops within heterogeneous arterial plaques. Here, even closely neighbouring regions can differ substantially in biological activity and potential vulnerability to rupture and thrombosis. Through matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and especially MALDI imaging, these differences within the plaque can be studied while also preserving tissue architecture. With MALDI analysis, prepared tissue sections are converted into spatial molecular maps that show the differences in plaque chemistry across the arterial wall. These maps can be used to link changes in lipids and other biomolecules to regions affected by inflammation, necrosis, calcification and thrombosis. This narrative review, supported by a structured search of PubMed and PubMed Central from database inception to 14 September 2026, critically examines MALDI-based research in atherosclerosis across a translational continuum. The evidence base centres on spatial MALDI-MSI of plaque tissue, with non-imaging MALDI and orthogonal non-MALDI studies used as complementary context. Particular attention is given to the strength of evidence supporting proposed molecular signatures and to the distinction between exploratory findings and clinically validated applications. Integration of MALDI with histology, clinical imaging and emerging spatial-omics approaches could strengthen the biological interpretation of plaque-specific molecular signatures. However, methodological heterogeneity, incomplete molecular identification, small study populations and limited independent and prospective validation currently restrict translation into clinical practice.
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BibTeX
@article{leksa2026molecular,
title = {{Molecular Mapping of Atherosclerotic Plaques with MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging}},
author = {Dawid Leksa and Dorota Bartusik-Aebisher and Daniel Roshan Justin Raj and Angelika Myśliwiec and Alina Pietryszyn-Bilińska and Magdalena Moś and Piotr Oleś and Aleksandra Kawczyk-Krupka and David Aebisher},
journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/ijms27198745},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/19/8745},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Molecular Mapping of Atherosclerotic Plaques with MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging
AU - Dawid Leksa
AU - Dorota Bartusik-Aebisher
AU - Daniel Roshan Justin Raj
AU - Angelika Myśliwiec
AU - Alina Pietryszyn-Bilińska
AU - Magdalena Moś
AU - Piotr Oleś
AU - Aleksandra Kawczyk-Krupka
AU - David Aebisher
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/30
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO - 10.3390/ijms27198745
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/19/8745
AB - Atherosclerosis develops within heterogeneous arterial plaques. Here, even closely neighbouring regions can differ substantially in biological activity and potential vulnerability to rupture and thrombosis. Through matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and especially MALDI imaging, these differences within the plaque can be studied while also preserving tissue architecture. With MALDI analysis, prepared tissue sections are converted into spatial molecular maps that show the differences in plaque chemistry across the arterial wall. These maps can be used to link changes in lipids and other biomolecules to regions affected by inflammation, necrosis, calcification and thrombosis. This narrative review, supported by a structured search of PubMed and PubMed Central from database inception to 14 September 2026, critically examines MALDI-based research in atherosclerosis across a translational continuum. The evidence base centres on spatial MALDI-MSI of plaque tissue, with non-imaging MALDI and orthogonal non-MALDI studies used as complementary context. Particular attention is given to the strength of evidence supporting proposed molecular signatures and to the distinction between exploratory findings and clinically validated applications. Integration of MALDI with histology, clinical imaging and emerging spatial-omics approaches could strengthen the biological interpretation of plaque-specific molecular signatures. However, methodological heterogeneity, incomplete molecular identification, small study populations and limited independent and prospective validation currently restrict translation into clinical practice.
SN - 1422-0067
ER -