Immunopathology of Atherosclerosis and Related Diseases: Focus on Molecular Biology

Dear Colleagues,

Lipid-lowering therapy (primarily statins) was revolutionary at one time by opening up the possibility of therapeutic regression of atherosclerosis. However, atherosclerosis and related diseases are multifactorial, which requires the search for new nonlipid therapeutic targets. Anti-inflammatory therapy with a monoclonal antibody that targets IL-1b (the CANTOS study) possesses significant cardiovascular benefits without affecting lipid levels. These findings have forced us to seriously turn towards anti-inflammatory therapy at the immune level. The ideas of Rokitansky and Virchow (19th century) about atherosclerosis as an inflammatory process again became popular along with Anichkov's cholesterol theory (early 20th century). Current knowledge links lipid-induced activation of the innate and adaptive immunity in the chronic inflammation that explains many mechanisms of atherogenesis, including the role of immune cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, and a variety of effector molecules, including cytokines. This Special Issue is focused on the current progress in genetic studies, drug discovery, and drug application in atherosclerotic diseases. In recent years, great advances in genetic studies and the accumulating pool of available data have made possible the discovery of molecular mechanisms of a number of chronic human pathologies, investigation of genetic predispositions to various disorders, and identification of numerous potential therapeutic targets. This progress in turn has been followed by a number of preclinical and clinical trials that collect important data on the safety and efficacy of new drugs. Research articles provide numerous examples of successful development and application of drugs and gene therapies of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and other human pathologies. Moreover, a significant amount of data is coming from clinical applications and molecular studies of traditional medicines.

Prof. Dr. Alexander N. Orekhov
Guest Editor

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