About this Research Topic

Background

The Research Topic defines lipids in their broadest sense, to include different classes and types of lipids and lipid-containing particles, triglycerides, Lp(a), PCSK9, apoCIII, metabolism of lipids in the cells and tissues, lipid transport, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize and investigate the role of lipids in various physiological processes, pathology and disease are very welcome.

Lipids and inflammation are related to each other. Lipid accumulation and inflammatory response are two branches of many processes in normal and in pathological disorders. Current knowledge links lipid-induced activation of the innate and adaptive immunity in the chronic inflammation that explains many mechanisms of pathologies. This Special Issue is focused on the current progress in genetic studies, drug discovery and drug application in diseases. During recent years, great advances in genetic studies and the accumulating pool of available data 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. A number of preclinical and clinical trials that collected important data on the safety and efficacy of new drugs in turn followed this progress. 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.

The Research Topic aims to translate the results of basic research into the management of various diseases. In particular, the Special Issue focuses on atherosclerosis. Extra- and intracellular deposition of lipids, predominantly of cholesteryl esters, in arterial intima is one of the earliest manifestations of atherosclerosis. Formation of lipid laden foam cells is recognized as a trigger in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) circulating in human blood is the source of lipids accumulated in arterial cells. For accumulation to occur, LDL particles must undergo chemical modification. The studies of the role of modified LDL should reveal a fundamental modification of LDL that makes it atherogenic. Large-scale epidemiological studies firmly established the association between low plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. This relationship is thought to reflect the key biological function of HDL, which involves reserve cholesterol transport from the arterial wall to the liver for further excretion from the body. Systemic and vascular inflammation has been proposed to convert HDL to a dysfunctional form that has impaired antiatherogenic effects. A loss of anti-inflammatory and antioxidative proteins, perhaps in combination with a gain of proinflammatory proteins, might be another important component in rendering HDL dysfunctional.

The Research Topic will cover basic, translational, clinical and applied research in the fields. Original or review papers are welcome.

Keywords: atherosclerosis, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, metabolism, reserve cholesterol transport, anti-inflammatory action, inflammation

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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