New Insights into Therapeutic Targets for Cardiovascular Diseases

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cells of the Cardiovascular System".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 May 2025 | Viewed by 4814

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (COP), Glendale Campus, Glendale, AZ, USA
2. Biomedical Sciences, College of Graduate Studies (CGS), Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
3. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 23617, USA
Interests: nanomedicine; targeted delivery; cardiovascular/cancer/inflammatory therapeutics and diagnostics; nutraceuticals; pharmaceutical formulations; nano-bioengineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Glendale, Midwestern University, 236-10 GH, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
2. Biomedical Sciences, College of Graduate Studies (CGS),19555 N59th Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
Interests: thrombospondin 1-associated pathophysiology and pharmacological strategy; new drug targets in GPCR-mediated signaling pathways; vascular and microvascular pathology and pharmacology; cardiovascular pharmacotherapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be the major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The development of targeted therapeutics and diagnostics for CVDs has been a promising area of expanding research, aiming to improve treatment effectiveness and reduce adverse effects. New advances in molecular targets have provided exciting opportunities for the development of more precise diagnoses and effective treatment options.

Researchers have been uncovering novel molecular targets that play key roles in the pathogenesis of CVDs, paving the way for the development of innovative targeted therapies and offering more personalized and tailored interventions for patients. The discovery and validation of cardiac and vascular tissue biomarkers play a critical role in guiding the development and assessment of targeted drugs for CVDs. This Special Issue will explore the latest findings in the field of cardiovascular biomarkers, shedding light on their potential impact on clinical practice and patient outcomes.

Furthermore, nanomedicine has emerged as a rapidly evolving field with the potential to revolutionize the delivery of targeted therapies and imaging agents for cardiovascular diseases. The use of nanotechnology in drug delivery holds promise for enhancing the accuracy and efficacy of cardiovascular pharmacotherapy while also minimizing systemic side effects and improving patient compliance and health outcomes. The development of nanocarriers tailored for specific molecular target and/or tissue marker delivery within the cardiovascular system represents a cutting-edge approach with the potential to transform the future of CVD treatment and clinical outcomes.

Here, we invite scholars to contribute their valuable insights and novel research, both in the form of original research or review article submissions, on the various and latest insights into targeted drugs for cardiovascular diseases and the exciting advances in molecular targets, biomarkers, and nanomedicine. This Special Issue will emphasize the remarkable and promising innovation and progress in the pursuit of improved therapies for cardiovascular health.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Elbayoumi
Dr. Molly (Mingyi) Yao
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment
  • ischemic cardiomyopathies
  • endothelium injury/damage
  • cardiac remuscularization and repair
  • cardiovascular/angiogenic targets and biomarkers
  • targeted delivery platforms/systems/formulations
  • precision nanomedicine
  • targeted nano-theranostic applications
  • localized and systemic administration
  • safety and efficacy

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

16 pages, 1714 KiB  
Review
Pro-Fibrotic Macrophage Subtypes: SPP1+ Macrophages as a Key Player and Therapeutic Target in Cardiac Fibrosis?
by Moritz Uhlig, Sebastian Billig, Jan Wienhold and David Schumacher
Cells 2025, 14(5), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14050345 - 27 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1034
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is a major driver of heart failure, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Advances in single-cell transcriptomics have revealed the pivotal role of SPP1+ macrophages in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis, positioning them as critical mediators and promising therapeutic [...] Read more.
Cardiac fibrosis is a major driver of heart failure, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Advances in single-cell transcriptomics have revealed the pivotal role of SPP1+ macrophages in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis, positioning them as critical mediators and promising therapeutic targets. SPP1+ macrophages, characterized by elevated expression of secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) and often co-expressing Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 (TREM2), localize to fibrotic niches in the heart and other organs. These cells interact with activated fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, driving extracellular matrix remodeling and fibrosis progression. Their differentiation is orchestrated by signals such as CXCL4, GM-CSF, and IL-17A, further emphasizing their regulatory complexity. Therapeutic strategies targeting SPP1+ macrophages have shown encouraging preclinical results. Approaches include silencing Spp1 using antibody–siRNA conjugates and modulating key pathways involved in macrophage differentiation. These interventions have effectively reduced fibrosis and improved cardiac function in animal models. The mechanisms underlying SPP1+ macrophage function in cardiac fibrosis provide a foundation for innovative therapies aimed at mitigating pathological remodeling and improving outcomes in patients with heart failure. This emerging field has significant potential to transform the treatment of fibrotic heart disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Therapeutic Targets for Cardiovascular Diseases)
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20 pages, 5978 KiB  
Review
Essential Roles of PIEZO1 in Mammalian Cardiovascular System: From Development to Diseases
by Chengjiang Jin, Sheng’an Su, Shuo Yu, Yue Zhang, Kaijie Chen, Meixiang Xiang and Hong Ma
Cells 2024, 13(17), 1422; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13171422 - 26 Aug 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3449
Abstract
Mechanical force is the basis of cardiovascular development, homeostasis, and diseases. The perception and response of mechanical force by the cardiovascular system are crucial. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating mechanotransduction in the cardiovascular system are not yet understood. PIEZO1, a novel transmembrane mechanosensitive [...] Read more.
Mechanical force is the basis of cardiovascular development, homeostasis, and diseases. The perception and response of mechanical force by the cardiovascular system are crucial. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating mechanotransduction in the cardiovascular system are not yet understood. PIEZO1, a novel transmembrane mechanosensitive cation channel known for its regulation of touch sensation, has been found to be widely expressed in the mammalian cardiovascular system. In this review, we elucidate the role and mechanism of PIEZO1 as a mechanical sensor in cardiovascular development, homeostasis, and disease processes, including embryo survival, angiogenesis, cardiac development repair, vascular inflammation, lymphangiogenesis, blood pressure regulation, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, ventricular remodeling, and heart failure. We further summarize chemical molecules targeting PIEZO1 for potential translational applications. Finally, we address the controversies surrounding emergent concepts and challenges in future applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Therapeutic Targets for Cardiovascular Diseases)
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