Immunity, Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Disease: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Cardiometabolic Health

Accumulating evidence has established that atherosclerosis is an immune-mediated condition. More specifically, the condition’s pathophysiological progression involves the activation of both innate and adaptive immune systems and the consequential inflammatory responses.

Led by an interdisciplinary team of topic experts, This Research Topic will delve into the role of inflammation as a key mechanism in atherosclerotic vascular diseases. A specific focus is placed on how various inflammatory mediators contribute to atherosclerotic lesion formation, propagation, and plaque instability. Areas of interest include but are not limited to the following:

1. Role of immune cells and their interactions in the progression of atherosclerosis

2. Understanding the contribution of inflammation-driven endothelial cell dysfunction and atherosclerosis

3. Molecular mechanisms underlying the immune response in atherosclerosis

4. Immunotherapy-based approaches to managing atherosclerosis and preventing cardiovascular disease

5. Role of innate and adaptive immunity in cardiovascular risk, complications, and therapeutics.

6. Heterogeneity of immune cells in atherosclerotic disease

7. Resolution of inflammation in vascular disease and its underlying mechanisms

8. New signaling mechanisms

9. Post-translational modifications

10. Lipids and vascular inflammation

11. Innovative technologies that have facilitated atherosclerosis research and its clinical translation (e.g., multi-omics, systems biology, machine learning)

12. Drug discovery

13. Translation of basic science into the precision medicine

The aim of this research topic is not only to provide a platform for current research in the fields of immunology, and atherosclerotic vascular diseases, but also to encourage interdisciplinary collaborations and research, fostering a more integrated understanding of cardiometabolic health. By bridging the gap between these two complementary disciplines, this Research Topic will fuel innovative research strategies and ultimately contribute to better patient outcomes in cardiovascular disease.

This is a Research Topic initiated by NAVBO, the North American Vascular Biology Organization.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Immune-mediated, Inflammation, Vascular diseases, Immune cells, Endothelial dysfunction, Cardiovascular disease, Innate immunity, Adaptive immunity, Plaque instability, Society affiliation RT

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.