Phenotypic Transitions and Endothelial Dysfunction in Cardiovascular Diseases: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Targets, and Modulation

The complex network of blood vessels is critical for maintaining organ function and tissue homeostasis, with endothelial cells playing a central role by regulating vascular tone, permeability, and angiogenesis. Disturbances in this delicate equilibrium can lead to endothelial dysfunction, which is related to the development and progression of various diseases. This dysfunction is often exacerbated by the phenotypic transitioning of vascular and immune cells, such as endothelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EndMT). While beneficial for processes like wound healing, these transitions can contribute to pathological changes in diseases like atherosclerosis and hypertension when dysregulated. Despite advancements, there is a pressing need to understand how these phenotypic changes affect vascular health and contribute to disease progression.

This Research Topic aims to delve into the complex relationship between endothelial dysfunction and vascular damage, focusing particularly on the roles of endothelial and other vascular cells during tissue remodeling and disease states. By integrating current research findings, this collection seeks to elucidate the participation of the endothelium in the pathophysiology of diseases, identify key signaling pathways that direct immune modulation and thrombus formation, and determine new interventions that could interrupt the damaging feedback loops in vascular pathologies.

To gather further insights into the mechanisms behind endothelial dysfunction and phenotypic transitioning, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

● Mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction and its impact across various cardiovascular conditions.

● Signaling pathways central to the regulation of pathological vascular remodeling.

● The role of immune and inflammatory responses in vascular remodeling processes.

● Genetic and epigenetic influences on endothelial function and their role in vascular health.

● Technological innovations in studying vascular function and structure.

●Therapeutic advancements and interventions aimed at reversing vascular damage.

●Environmental and lifestyle factors’ effects on endothelial function and vascular health.

●Personalized medicine approaches to treat cardiovascular diseases unique to individual profiles.

●The interplay between biomechanical forces and endothelial health in vascular remodeling.

Keywords: Endothelial dysfunction, Vascular damage, Vascular remodeling, Cardiovascular diseases, oxidative stress, inflammatory mediators, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, stem cells, tissue regeneration, genetic and epigenetic factors in cardiovascular diseases

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.