Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
10.0
4.9
Journals
IJMS
Special Issues
Molecular Mechanisms, Pathogenesis, and Novel Therapeutic Strategies in Cardiovascular Disease,...
ijms-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for IJMS Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Molecular Mechanisms, Pathogenesis, and Novel Therapeutic Strategies in Cardiovascular Disease, 2nd Edition

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2026 | Viewed by 8006

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Dai Yamanouchi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA
Interests: aneurysm; vascular biology; angiogenesis; intimal hyperplasia; macrophage; osteoclastogenesis; MMPs
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aneurysms, characterized by the localized dilation of blood vessels, pose a significant health risk due to the potential for rupture and life-threatening hemorrhage. In recent years, there has been growing interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and progression of aneurysms. This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in aneurysm research, focusing on the molecular aspects of aneurysm formation, progression, and novel therapeutic strategies.

In this Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, we invite authors to submit original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that delve into the molecular underpinnings of aneurysm formation and progression, specifically in relation to cardiovascular disease. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, vascular remodeling, extracellular matrix degradation, the role of inflammatory signaling pathways, and the identification of novel molecular targets for therapy.

We particularly encourage submissions that provide in-depth insights into the molecular mechanisms of aneurysm pathobiology and the intricate interplay between various cellular and molecular factors contributing to aneurysm development. Contributions exploring innovative therapeutic approaches, such as gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and pharmacological interventions targeting specific molecular pathways, are also welcome.

By assembling a diverse collection of high-quality articles, this Special Issue aims to advance our understanding of the complex molecular landscape governing aneurysm formation and progression in cardiovascular disease and to inspire further research in this rapidly evolving field.

Dr. Dai Yamanouchi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • aneurysm pathobiology
  • vascular remodeling
  • extracellular matrix degradation
  • inflammatory signaling pathways
  • molecular targets for therapy
  • autophagy
  • macrophage
  • inflammation
  • immune cell regulation
  • age-related diseases
  • therapeutic implications

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

24 pages, 2372 KB  
Article
Cytokine-Family Biomarker Candidates for Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Identified via Integrated mRNA and Protein Expression Profiling
by Piotr Stabiszewski, Daniel Zalewski, Przemysław Kołodziej, Marta Ziaja-Sołtys, Joanna Łuszczak, Magdalena Szymańska, Alicja Petniak, Jacek Bogucki, Piotr Terlecki, Barbara Stawarz, Janusz Kocki, Marcin Feldo and Anna Bogucka-Kocka
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(11), 4863; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27114863 - 28 May 2026
Viewed by 135
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic vascular disease characterized by localized dilatation of the abdominal aorta. This condition is frequently underdiagnosed and carries a high mortality rate (65–85%) due to aneurysm rupture. Although numerous candidate biomarkers have been identified for AAA, none [...] Read more.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic vascular disease characterized by localized dilatation of the abdominal aorta. This condition is frequently underdiagnosed and carries a high mortality rate (65–85%) due to aneurysm rupture. Although numerous candidate biomarkers have been identified for AAA, none have been successfully implemented in clinical diagnostic procedures for AAA screening. This highlights the critical need for the discovery and validation of reliable biomarkers to improve early detection and risk stratification in AAA. Therefore, in our study, we aimed to identify small AAA (sAAA) biomarker candidates among the key cytokines and receptors of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-17 families on gene expression and plasma protein levels. Comparative analysis was conducted between a group of 100 men with sAAA (<54 mm in diameter) and a group of 100 men without AAA. Expression profiles of the analyzed cytokines and their receptors were obtained in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using real-time PCR, while plasma levels of selected encoded proteins were determined using ELISA. The mean expression of IL10RA, IL17RA, CXCL8, and IL1B, as well as the plasma levels of IL-17A, were significantly different between the sAAA and Control groups, with CXCL8 and IL1B exhibiting a strong mutual correlation. The diagnostic model incorporating these biomarker candidates and D-dimer levels showed a fair classification performance (ROC-AUC = 0.756), with a sensitivity and specificity of approximately 0.7. The selected biomarker candidates were functionally associated with fibroblast activation, neutrophil chemotaxis, T-helper cell function, and cell adhesion and proliferation. Cytokines selected as biomarker candidates represent a promising field for further studies on the identification of diagnostic targets for the early detection of AAA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms, Pathogenesis, and Novel Therapeutic Strategies in Cardiovascular Disease, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 633 KB  
Article
Autophagy-Mitophagy Pathway-Linked Genetic Variants Associate with Systemic Inflammation and Interact with Dietary Factors in Asian and European Cohorts
by Youngjin Choi and Sunmin Park
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(7), 3062; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073062 - 27 Mar 2026
Viewed by 697
Abstract
Autophagy-mitophagy pathways are essential for regulating immune homeostasis. However, their contribution to population-level chronic low-grade systemic inflammation (SI) remains unclear. The objective was to investigate the association between variation in the genes related to the autophagy-mitophagy pathways and SI, and to examine whether [...] Read more.
Autophagy-mitophagy pathways are essential for regulating immune homeostasis. However, their contribution to population-level chronic low-grade systemic inflammation (SI) remains unclear. The objective was to investigate the association between variation in the genes related to the autophagy-mitophagy pathways and SI, and to examine whether lifestyle factors modify this relationship. We conducted genome-wide association studies and gene-set enrichment analyses using data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES, n = 28,102) and UK Biobank (UKBB, n = 343,892). SI was defined as an elevated white blood cell count or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Using Core Longevity State Vectors (CLSVs)—gene sets representing immune-longevity pathways derived from comparative transcriptomic analysis—we tested six pathways and constructed a weighted genetic risk score (GRS) from significant variants. Gene–lifestyle interactions were examined with respect to major dietary and lifestyle factors. Among six CLSVs, only CLSV-2 (mitophagy and autophagy) showed a significant association with SI (β = 0.425, p = 0.008). Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in autophagy-mitophagy genes (INPP5D, ATG16L1, ATG7, AP3S1, OPTN, and VPS33A) were associated with SI in KoGES (p < 5 × 10−5), and ten SNPs (genes selected in KoGES plus RAB7A, ATG12, VPS33A, BECN1) reached genome-wide significance in UKBB (p < 5 × 10−8). A higher GRS was associated with increased SI in both cohorts and was strongly associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS, OR = 1.91 in KoGES; OR = 1.62 in UKBB). SI was characterized by neutrophilia with relative lymphopenia. In UKBB, significant gene–lifestyle interactions were observed for diet, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol (p < 0.01). Favorable lifestyle factors reduced SI most effectively in individuals with protective genotypes. Among individuals with a high vegetable/fruit intake, SI prevalence was 35%, 36%, and 38% in the negative-, zero-, and positive-GRS groups, respectively, compared with 36%, 45%, and 48% in the low-intake groups. In conclusion, genetic variations in autophagy-mitophagy pathways specifically influence SI. Genetic predisposition substantially modifies the benefits of lifestyle, underscoring the importance of integrating genetic and lifestyle factors in understanding SI susceptibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms, Pathogenesis, and Novel Therapeutic Strategies in Cardiovascular Disease, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

16 pages, 304 KB  
Review
The Roles of Incretin Hormones GIP and GLP-1 in Metabolic and Cardiovascular Health: A Comprehensive Review
by Dai Yamanouchi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010027 - 19 Dec 2025
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 6805
Abstract
The incretin hormones glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) play central roles in metabolic and cardiovascular regulation. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are established therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity because of their insulinotropic effects, weight reduction, and proven [...] Read more.
The incretin hormones glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) play central roles in metabolic and cardiovascular regulation. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are established therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity because of their insulinotropic effects, weight reduction, and proven cardiovascular benefit in trial level. In contrast, GIP was historically overlooked due to reduced β-cell responsiveness in T2DM. The development of dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists has reshaped this view. Tirzepatide, the first-in-class co-agonist, an antidiabetic medication to treat type 2 diabetes and for weight loss, provides superior glycemic control and weight loss compared with selective GLP-1RAs in clinical trials, demonstrating synergistic actions between the two incretin pathways. This review summarizes key physiology, pathophysiology, and therapeutic evidence in incretin biology. We describe secretion patterns, receptor distributions, and distinct actions of GIP and GLP-1, as well as alterations in incretin signaling in T2DM and obesity. Cardiovascular protective mechanisms are outlined, including improvements in lipid metabolism, reductions in blood pressure, enhanced endothelial nitric oxide activity, suppression of macrophage inflammation, decreased foam-cell formation, and stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. At the therapeutic level, emerging directions—such as dual and triple agonists—and unresolved questions regarding long-term vascular effects of GIP and the potential for genotype-guided incretin therapy are also discussed. Collectively, these findings highlight an emerging shift toward integrated incretin-axis modulation as a therapeutic strategy for metabolic and cardiovascular disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms, Pathogenesis, and Novel Therapeutic Strategies in Cardiovascular Disease, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop