Genetic Research on Cerebrovascular Disease and Stroke

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Genomics and Genetic Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2025 | Viewed by 124

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
Interests: adenosine deaminase 2 deficiency syndrome; ischemic stroke; anticoagulant; subarachnoid haemorrhage; cerebral arteries; carotid

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Stroke, both ischemic and hemorrhagic, represents a growing societal challenge due to its significant impact on patients, caregivers, and healthcare systems. The disease is the end result of complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Recent advances in genetic research shed light on the intricate regulatory mechanisms that contribute to the development and consequences of such condition. Up to 50% of stroke risk is unexplained by conventional risk factors, with a large part of this unexplained risk thought to be the result of genetic factors. Recent advances in the field of gene identification—notably, genome-wide association studies (GWAs)—have resulted in the tremendous growth of genetic variants being related to disease phenotypes, especially with regard to brain ischemia. Likewise, although monogenic disorders account for about 1% to 5% of all strokes, their diagnosis is important for correct management, including genetic counseling, preventive measures, and therapeutic decisions, and discovering their pathogenetic mechanism could provide insight into the mechanisms underlying multifactorial ischemic stroke. A large number of single-gene disorders have been described so far, as well-known causes of stroke. Despite these achievements, challenges remain in translating genetic and genomic discoveries into clinical practice due to disease heterogeneity and the complexity of stroke pathophysiology. Future integration of genetic technologies holds promise for transforming diagnostic and prognostic paradigms, offering hope for improved patient outcomes and precision medicine approaches.

This Special Issue aims to advance genetic and genomic research in stroke, highlighting studies that explore the underlying genetic and genomic mechanisms and their clinical implications. Our objective is to deepen insights into genetic predispositions, genetic markers, comparative genomics, genetic diversity, and the overall genetic and genomic mechanisms driving stroke.

Prof. Dr. Alessandro Pezzini
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • stroke
  • genetics
  • genomics
  • risk factors
  • outcome

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

18 pages, 508 KiB  
Review
RNF213-Related Vasculopathy: An Entity with Diverse Phenotypic Expressions
by Takeshi Yoshimoto, Sho Okune, Shun Tanaka, Hiroshi Yamagami and Yuji Matsumaru
Genes 2025, 16(8), 939; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16080939 - 7 Aug 2025
Abstract
Moyamoya disease (MMD) is primarily associated with genetic variants in RNF213. RNF213 p.R4810K (c.14429G>A, p.Arg4810Lys) is a founder variant predominantly found in East Asian populations and is strongly associated with MMD, a rare cerebrovascular condition characterized by progressive stenosis of intracranial arteries [...] Read more.
Moyamoya disease (MMD) is primarily associated with genetic variants in RNF213. RNF213 p.R4810K (c.14429G>A, p.Arg4810Lys) is a founder variant predominantly found in East Asian populations and is strongly associated with MMD, a rare cerebrovascular condition characterized by progressive stenosis of intracranial arteries and the development of abnormal collateral networks. Recent evidence suggests that RNF213 variants are also enriched in non-moyamoya intracranial arteriopathies, such as large-artery atherosclerotic stroke and intracranial arterial stenosis/occlusion (ICASO), particularly in east Asian individuals with early-onset or cryptogenic stroke. This expanded phenotypic spectrum, termed RNF213-related vasculopathy (RRV), represents a distinct pathogenic entity that may involve unique pathogenic processes separate from traditional atherosclerosis. In this review, we synthesize current genetic, clinical, radiological, and experimental findings that delineate the unique features of RRV. Patients with RRV typically exhibit a lower burden of traditional vascular risk factors, negative vascular remodeling in the absence of atheromatous plaques, and an increased propensity for disease progression. RNF213 variants may compromise vascular resilience by impairing adaptive responses to hemodynamic stress. Furthermore, emerging cellular and animal model data indicate that RNF213 influences angiogenesis, lipid metabolism, and stress responses, offering mechanistic insights into its role in maintaining vascular integrity. Recognizing RRV as a distinct clinical entity has important implications for diagnosis, risk stratification, and the development of genome-informed therapeutic strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Research on Cerebrovascular Disease and Stroke)
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