Atherosclerosis: The Impact of Dysfunctional Lipid Homeostasis and Inflammation on the Disease

Dear Colleagues,

Atherosclerosis, an inflammatory disorder of the vasculature and the underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accidents, is responsible for almost a third of all global deaths. Atherosclerosis is initiated by endothelial cell disfunction by various risk factors that then results in a series of changes, including recruitment of immune cells such as monocytes and their differentiation into macrophages, transformation of macrophages into foam cells, death of such foam cells leading to the formation of lipid-rich necrotic core, chronic inflammation via activation of inflammasome and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells from the media to the intima to form plaque stabilizing fibrous cap, and plaque rupture resulting in thrombosis and clinical complications of the disease. Current therapies against atherosclerosis are not fully effective and associated with various side effects. Studies aimed at further advancing our understanding of the molecular basis of the disease, particularly the roles of different disease-associated genes and factors together with the molecular mechanisms underlying their actions along with the impact of dysfunctional lipid homeostasis and inflammation on the disease and therapeutic avenues that target them are therefore required.

This Special Issue is focused on atherosclerosis and will include original articles and reviews on mechanism-based in vitro and in vivo together with human studies aimed at advancing our understanding of the molecular basis of atherosclerosis with focus on the impact of dysfunctional lipid homeostasis and inflammation on the disease together with therapeutic approaches that target them. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, molecular biology of atherosclerosis with mechanistic insights from cell culture and animal model systems together with human subjects addressing aspects such as cellular responses, signal transduction, gene expression, gene function, intracellular targets, lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, biomarkers, preventative and therapeutic approaches, and several others.

Prof. Dr. Dipak Ramji
Guest Editor

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• atherosclerosis
• cardiovascular disease
• inflammation
• cytokines
• lipid metabolism
• lipoproteins
• gene expression
• gene function
• cellular processes
• model systems
• mechanisms
• signaling
• prevention
• treatment
• biomarkers
• co-morbiditie