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Atherosclerosis: The Impact of Dysfunctional Lipid Homeostasis and Inflammation on the Disease

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 6646

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
Interests: inflammation; cytokines; cell signaling; atherosclerosis; macrophages; foam cells; nutraceuticals; gene expression
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Atherosclerosis, an inflammatory disorder of the vasculature and the underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accidents, is responsible for almost a third of all global deaths. Atherosclerosis is initiated by endothelial cell disfunction by various risk factors that then results in a series of changes, including recruitment of immune cells such as monocytes and their differentiation into macrophages, transformation of macrophages into foam cells, death of such foam cells leading to the formation of lipid-rich necrotic core, chronic inflammation via activation of inflammasome and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells from the media to the intima to form plaque stabilizing fibrous cap, and plaque rupture resulting in thrombosis and clinical complications of the disease. Current therapies against atherosclerosis are not fully effective and associated with various side effects. Studies aimed at further advancing our understanding of the molecular basis of the disease, particularly the roles of different disease-associated genes and factors together with the molecular mechanisms underlying their actions along with the impact of dysfunctional lipid homeostasis and inflammation on the disease and therapeutic avenues that target them are therefore required.

This Special Issue is focused on atherosclerosis and will include original articles and reviews on mechanism-based in vitro and in vivo together with human studies aimed at advancing our understanding of the molecular basis of atherosclerosis with focus on the impact of dysfunctional lipid homeostasis and inflammation on the disease together with therapeutic approaches that target them. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, molecular biology of atherosclerosis with mechanistic insights from cell culture and animal model systems together with human subjects addressing aspects such as cellular responses, signal transduction, gene expression, gene function, intracellular targets, lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, biomarkers, preventative and therapeutic approaches, and several others.

Prof. Dr. Dipak Ramji
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • atherosclerosis
  • cardiovascular disease
  • inflammation
  • cytokines
  • lipid metabolism
  • lipoproteins
  • gene expression
  • gene function
  • cellular processes
  • model systems
  • mechanisms
  • signaling
  • prevention
  • treatment
  • biomarkers
  • co-morbiditie

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 4415 KiB  
Article
sFgl2-Treg Positive Feedback Pathway Protects against Atherosclerosis
by Tianhui An, Mengyuan Guo, Cheng Fan, Shiyuan Huang, Hui Liu, Kun Liu and Zhaohui Wang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(3), 2338; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032338 - 25 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2045
Abstract
Soluble fibrinogen-like protein 2 (sFgl2), a novel effector of regulatory T cells (Tregs), has been demonstrated to have potent immunosuppressive functions. Multiple studies indicate that Tregs could exert important atheroprotective effects, but their numbers gradually decrease during atherogenesis. The receptor of sFgl2 can [...] Read more.
Soluble fibrinogen-like protein 2 (sFgl2), a novel effector of regulatory T cells (Tregs), has been demonstrated to have potent immunosuppressive functions. Multiple studies indicate that Tregs could exert important atheroprotective effects, but their numbers gradually decrease during atherogenesis. The receptor of sFgl2 can be expressed on Treg precursor cells, while the role of sFgl2 on Treg differentiation and atherosclerosis progression remains unclear. Firstly, we detected that the sFgl2 was decreased in humans and mice with atherosclerotic diseases and was especially lower in their vulnerable plaques. Then, we used both Adeno-associated virus-sFgl2 (AAV-sFgl2)-injected ApoE-/- mice, which is systemic overexpression of sFgl2, and sFgl2TgApoE-/- bone marrow cells (BMC)-transplanted ApoE-/- mice, which is almost immune-system-specific overexpression of sFgl2, to explore the role of sFgl2 in atherosclerosis. Our experiment data showed that AAV-sFgl2 and BMT-sFgl2 could reduce atherosclerotic area and enhance plaque stability. Mechanistically, sFgl2 increases the abundance and immunosuppressive function of Tregs, which is partly mediated by binding to FcγRIIB receptors and phosphorylating Smad2/3. Collectively, sFgl2 has an atheroprotective effect that is mainly achieved by forming a positive feedback pathway with Treg. sFgl2 and Treg could synergistically protect against atherosclerosis. Full article
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Review

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19 pages, 1890 KiB  
Review
The Role of Punicalagin and Its Metabolites in Atherosclerosis and Risk Factors Associated with the Disease
by Sulaiman Alalawi, Faizah Albalawi and Dipak P. Ramji
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(10), 8476; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24108476 - 9 May 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4166
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Although current therapies, such as statins, have led to a marked reduction in morbidity and mortality from ACVD, they are associated with considerable residual risk for the disease together with various adverse [...] Read more.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Although current therapies, such as statins, have led to a marked reduction in morbidity and mortality from ACVD, they are associated with considerable residual risk for the disease together with various adverse side effects. Natural compounds are generally well-tolerated; a major recent goal has been to harness their full potential in the prevention and treatment of ACVD, either alone or together with existing pharmacotherapies. Punicalagin (PC) is the main polyphenol present in pomegranates and pomegranate juice and demonstrates many beneficial actions, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-atherogenic properties. The objective of this review is to inform on our current understanding of the pathogenesis of ACVD and the potential mechanisms underlying the beneficial actions of PC and its metabolites in the disease, including the attenuation of dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, endothelial cell dysfunction, foam cell formation, and inflammation mediated by cytokines and immune cells together with the regulation of proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. Some of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of PC and its metabolites are due to their strong radical-scavenging activities. PC and its metabolites also inhibit the risk factors of atherosclerosis, including hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, inflammation, hypertension, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Despite the promising findings that have emerged from numerous in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, deeper mechanistic insights and large clinical trials are required to harness the full potential of PC and its metabolites in the prevention and treatment of ACVD. Full article
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