New Insights into the Endothelial Dysfunction

Dear Colleagues,

Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases still represent the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, due to the interaction between environment and genetic background, represent the main pathogenetic mechanisms underlying atherosclerotic vascular disease. For these reasons, endothelial alterations, first functional and then morphological, represent the primum movens of the appearance and progression of atherosclerotic vascular damage. In this context, it is well established that endothelial activation/dysfunction, characterized by a reduced nitric oxide bioavailability as a consequence of increased oxidative stress, represents the common factor of vascular damage observed in several haemodynamic, metabolic and inflammatory conditions. It is of interest to consider the emerging role that immune-mediated inflammation plays in the development of vascular damage, representing a new pathogenetic and therapeutic scenario.

Another relevant aspect of the research in this field is the role that inflammation plays in the development of the atherosclerotic lesion. In this context, an important role is played by the inflammatory response and the immune system and their interaction with lipoprotein and endothelium.

Therefore, the understanding of the different mechanisms underlying endothelial activation/dysfunction could be an interesting research field for the development of strategies that can reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases and their outcomes.

Dr. Raffaele Maio
Prof. Dr. Maria Perticone
Prof. Dr. Francesco Perticone
Guest Editors

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