Cells of the Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system comprises the heart, blood and lymphatic vessels, and blood. Its most well-known function is the transport of oxygen and nutrients and waste removal, but it also represents the road for immune and stem cells, hormones, and active metabolites. The importance of the cardiovascular system is underlined by the fact that the heart is the first functional organ during embryonic development in mammals, and congenital cardiovascular malformations are the most common birth defects with mostly unknown causes. Furthermore, cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of death worldwide. Thus, investigation of the function of cells in the cardiovascular system, their interactions, signaling, electrophysiology, specification, and plasticity is of great importance for our understanding of cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology.

This Section of Cells aims to publish research that provides novel insights and conceptual advancements in the field of cardiovascular science at the biophysical, molecular, cellular, organ, and organism level. Research topics include:

• Signaling between cells in the cardiovascular system;
• Cardiovascular development;
• Cardiovascular disease;
• Immune modulation of cardiovascular function;
• Neuronal and humoral control of the cardiovascular system;
• Circadian influences on the cardiovascular system;
• Cardiovascular system and aging;
• Stem cells in the cardiovascular system;
• Ion channels in cardiac and vascular cells;
• Cell specification and plasticity;
• Genetics and epigenetics of cardiovascular development and disease.

Topics, however, are not limited to these keywords.

Epidemiological and clinical case studies without novel mechanistic insights will not be included as per the Cells general publication policy.