About this Research Topic

Background

The evolution of thrombi in diseases presenting the highest public health burden worldwide (cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases, deep vein thrombosis) is a multifactorial process. Two-way interactions of blood clotting and inflammatory mechanisms shape the composition of thrombi and their fate depending on the vascular location and cause of thrombosis. Elevated risk for cardiovascular disease accompanies systemic inflammatory conditions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis), whereas thrombus itself is a hub of inflammation with infiltrating leukocytes. Fibrin is a long-known structure, forming the scaffold of thrombi, but, it is also an essential component of haemostatic clots. In addition to fibrin, in the past decade neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have emerged as critical factors in thrombosis, but have not been shown to have a role in haemostasis. Thus, inflammation-related components are attractive targets to prevent and treat thrombosis efficiently and safely, without any significant haemorrhagic complications that are associated with the currently available antithrombotic agents targeting the haemostatic system.

The goal of the proposed Research Topic is to provide a forum for communication of the recent advances in the mechanistic understanding of the interactions between inflammation and thrombosis. We wish to see this article collection making a significant contribution and serve as inspiration for future developments in the area of thrombotic diseases. Reports from observational and experimental studies addressing a broad spectrum of research questions are invited:

1. Clinical observations for association of inflammation and thrombosis (including infectious and autoimmune diseases, post-COVID syndrome).

2. Novel diagnostic approaches and methods for monitoring systemic inflammatory biomarkers (including NETs) in patients with thrombosis.

3. Preclinical studies on the mechanisms of infection- and inflammation-related thrombosis and innovative antithrombotic strategies based on these.

4. Ex vivo and in vitro studies on Inflammation-related factors that determine the composition of thrombi, their structure, mechanical stability and lysis.

5. Structural and functional aspects of the modification of blood coagulation factors by inflammation-related proteolysis, oxidative stress and other covalent modifications (e.g. citrullination).

6. Impact of antifibrinolytic agents on inflammation and immunity.

The list above is not intended to be exhaustive, reports of any novel, unexpected aspect of the interaction of thrombosis and inflammation are welcome.

We invite authors to submit manuscripts that represent Original Research, Clinical trials and Case study results, Methods articles, Reviews and Mini reviews, Hypothesis and theory articles, Perspectives (the specific requirements for these types of articles are available on the webpage of Frontiers in Immunology/Section: Molecular Innate Immunity). We strongly encourage submissions from diverse author teams that include medical professionals/researchers, clinicians and basic research scientists. All submitted manuscripts will be subjected to peer review and decision on acceptance will be based on scientific merit and novelty as assessed by the expert reviewers. In case you feel uncertain as to whether your research aligns with these topics and communication formats, please approach the guest editors to discuss whether your research is in line with the intended outcomes of the Research topic.

Keywords: blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, fibrin, neutrophil extracellular traps, antithrombotic agents

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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