Viruses and Endothelial Dysfunction

Dear Colleagues,

The aim of this Special Issue is to offer an opportunity to collect the newest contributions to the field of HIV Proteins and Endothelial Dysfunction.

The introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), has considerably decreased the viral burden and opportunistic infections, and increased the life expectancy in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV⁺)-infected people. Conversely, HIV⁺ individuals develop a greater vulnerability to non-AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)-related complications. In particular, HIV⁺ patients have a higher risk of developing endothelial dysfunction, which may occur in both the absence and presence of suppressive cART. HIV-1-encoded proteins are expressed in HIV⁺ individuals, even in the absence of viral replication, and are able to induce strong changes in endothelial cell (EC) physiology and morphology, to induce direct EC damage and to develop an inflammatory microenvironment. As a consequence, viral proteins may represent some of the essential factors involved in the development of endothelial disorders in AIDS. Understanding the key role of some HIV-1 protein in sustaining EC aberrant functioning may help in identifying new therapeutic approaches for combating and preventing HIV-1-related vascular diseases.

All researchers working in the field are cordially invited to contribute original research papers or propose reviews to feature in this Special Issue of Viruses.

Dr. Francesca Caccuri
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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). 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.