The underlying disease mechanisms in the onset and propagation of cardiovascular disease, a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality, have moved into the focus of clinicians and researchers alike. Emerging evidence identified phenotypic changes in vascular or valvular cell populations secondary to altered hemodynamics or localized or systemic inflammation as a driving force in disease progression. Disclosure of the underlying pathomechanisms leading to unfavorable phenotypic differentiation of vessel wall- or valve-resident cells bears the potential for novel, target-specific therapies. Extracellular vesicles (EV), membranous nanoparticles released by a multitude of different cell types, are known to facilitate intercellular communication in cardiovascular tissues in homeostatic and disease states. Recent studies have identified a crucial role of tissue-derived EV in atherosclerosis and calcified aortic valve disease. Further evidence on disease-associated EV populations may unleash their potential to improve diagnosis and therapeutic strategies in diseased heart valves and vasculature.
This Research Topic focuses on the effects of circulating and/or tissue extracellular vesicles in cardiovascular disease initiation and progression. The contributions made herein aim to elucidate the significance of tissue-specific EV with their distinct EV-enclosed cargo, the effects of EV on vascular or valvular cell populations and extracellular matrix, as well as identification of EV-bound mediators in the pathogenesis of fibro-calcific transformation conducive to disease progression. To tackle these challenges, a broad array of scientific methodologies ranging from in vitro analyses of vascular or valvular cell-derived EV and EV-mediated effects on cell phenotype, in vivo studies involving animal models of cardiovascular disease, as well as translational studies using patient biomaterials will be necessary.
This article collection welcomes all studies (review articles, original research, methodology papers, case reports, etc.) highlighting the role of EV in all aspects of cardiovascular disease including, but not limited to:
• Analysis of cell-derived EV proteome and EV-bound targets in the context of cardiovascular disease
• In vitro studies on the interaction of vessel wall or valve-resident cell populations through EV
• Studies involving animal models of cardiovascular disease with a focus on EV or EV-bound disease mediators
• Clinical or translational studies involving EV from patient tissue or liquid biopsy specimen to investigate the potential of EV/EV-bound targets in diagnosis, prognosis, therapeutic monitoring etc.
Keywords:
Extracellular Vesicles, Heart Valve Disease, Atherosclerosis, Vascular Inflammation, Cardiovascular Disease
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.
The underlying disease mechanisms in the onset and propagation of cardiovascular disease, a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality, have moved into the focus of clinicians and researchers alike. Emerging evidence identified phenotypic changes in vascular or valvular cell populations secondary to altered hemodynamics or localized or systemic inflammation as a driving force in disease progression. Disclosure of the underlying pathomechanisms leading to unfavorable phenotypic differentiation of vessel wall- or valve-resident cells bears the potential for novel, target-specific therapies. Extracellular vesicles (EV), membranous nanoparticles released by a multitude of different cell types, are known to facilitate intercellular communication in cardiovascular tissues in homeostatic and disease states. Recent studies have identified a crucial role of tissue-derived EV in atherosclerosis and calcified aortic valve disease. Further evidence on disease-associated EV populations may unleash their potential to improve diagnosis and therapeutic strategies in diseased heart valves and vasculature.
This Research Topic focuses on the effects of circulating and/or tissue extracellular vesicles in cardiovascular disease initiation and progression. The contributions made herein aim to elucidate the significance of tissue-specific EV with their distinct EV-enclosed cargo, the effects of EV on vascular or valvular cell populations and extracellular matrix, as well as identification of EV-bound mediators in the pathogenesis of fibro-calcific transformation conducive to disease progression. To tackle these challenges, a broad array of scientific methodologies ranging from in vitro analyses of vascular or valvular cell-derived EV and EV-mediated effects on cell phenotype, in vivo studies involving animal models of cardiovascular disease, as well as translational studies using patient biomaterials will be necessary.
This article collection welcomes all studies (review articles, original research, methodology papers, case reports, etc.) highlighting the role of EV in all aspects of cardiovascular disease including, but not limited to:
• Analysis of cell-derived EV proteome and EV-bound targets in the context of cardiovascular disease
• In vitro studies on the interaction of vessel wall or valve-resident cell populations through EV
• Studies involving animal models of cardiovascular disease with a focus on EV or EV-bound disease mediators
• Clinical or translational studies involving EV from patient tissue or liquid biopsy specimen to investigate the potential of EV/EV-bound targets in diagnosis, prognosis, therapeutic monitoring etc.
Keywords:
Extracellular Vesicles, Heart Valve Disease, Atherosclerosis, Vascular Inflammation, Cardiovascular Disease
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.