Autoimmune Diseases and Cardiovascular Health

Autoimmune diseases, affecting over 24 million people in America, have been increasingly associated with heightened cardiovascular (CV) risk, independent of traditional CV risk factors. Despite this, cardiovascular involvement in autoimmune conditions is often underdiagnosed, leading to delayed treatment and poorer prognoses. Recent studies have highlighted the prevalence of autoantibodies in both the general population and high CV risk groups, suggesting that these biological markers can predict the onset of CV complications. Some researchers have even proposed that atherosclerosis could be considered an autoimmune or inflammatory disease influenced by autoimmunity. However, the exact role of autoimmunity in cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a subject of debate, given the diverse and sometimes contradictory effects of autoantibodies on atherogenesis. This underscores the need for more comprehensive research to clarify these complex interactions and improve early diagnosis and intervention strategies.

This research topic aims to investigate the intricate relationship between autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular health, focusing on early diagnosis and intervention. The primary objectives include understanding the role of inflammation and autoimmunity in the cardiovascular system, identifying autoantibodies as biomarkers for CV risk stratification, and exploring their potential as therapeutic targets. Additionally, the research will delve into the mechanisms of vascular damage and cardiovascular morbidity in autoimmune diseases, as well as the broader implications of molecular mimicry, epitope spreading, and loss of self-tolerance in CVD.

To gather further insights into the complex interplay between autoimmunity and cardiovascular health, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Inflammation and autoimmunity in the cardiovascular system (T & B lymphocyte involvement)
-Infection-driven autoimmunity against the CV system
- Autoantibodies as biomarkers for CV risk stratification
- Autoantibodies as CV therapeutic targets
- Vascular damage and cardiovascular morbidity in autoimmune diseases
- Molecular mimicry, epitope spreading, and loss of self-tolerance in CVD
- Multiple roles of HDL in autoimmune diseases
- Autoimmunity and myocardial fibrosis

Keywords: Autoimmune, inflammation, sclerosis, vascular damage, rheumatic

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.