The Role of Circulating Immune Mediators in the Crosstalk Between Cells of the Immune System and Cardiovascular Systems in CVDs

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death in industrially developed countries and encompass multiple disorders including atherosclerosis, hypertension, stroke, and heart failure. Risk factors that drive CVD development include hyperlipidemia, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, age, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, stress, or their combination. Although genetic contributions are intimately involved, other factors such as chronic inflammation and immune cell activation play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis and progression of CVDs. Indeed, there is strong evidence demonstrating a key role of several pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the stability of the atherosclerotic plaque, in the myocardial function and in the ischemic stroke outcome. Moreover, recent studies have indicated that other circulating soluble immune factors and the extracellular vesicles released by several cell types, including leukocytes and cardiovascular cells, may contribute to the development of CVDs. Indeed, EVs, containing mRNAs, non-coding RNAs, peptides and proteins, have been shown to regulate a multitude of functions in target cells, maintaining cardiovascular balance or contributing to pathological changes in CVDs.

With this Research Topic, we aim to collect recent advances in the study of crosstalk between cells of the immune system and cardiovascular systems in CVDs pathogenesis. Moreover, our goal is to present new insights in the understanding of the role of soluble immune molecules and extracellular vesicles in the onset and progression of CVDs as well as the complex relationship between these circulating immune mediators and cardiovascular adaptation versus maladaptation. We aim to move more in deep into the knowledge of the prospective diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic value of either soluble immune mediators or extracellular vesicles involved in the crosstalk between cells of the cardiovascular systems and immune cells in CVDs.

We will collect Original Research Articles, Reviews, and Method Articles on, but not limited to, the following topics:

1. Role of soluble immune mediators in the pathogenesis of CVDs

2. Cytokines and extracellular vesicles from immune and cardiovascular cells as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of CVDs

3. Cytokines and extracellular vesicles from immune and cardiovascular cells as novel therapeutic approaches in CVDs.

4. Soluble mediators involved in the crosstalk between cells of the cardiovascular systems and immune cells