Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco Finamore, Gabriele Nieddu, Silvia Rocchiccioli, Rita Spirito, Anna Guarino, Marilena Formato, Antonio Junior Lepedda
Summary: Proteins within different lipoprotein classes play a key role in carrying out various functions and are associated with pathological conditions such as atherosclerosis. Detailed information about the composition and structure of these lipoproteins can contribute to understanding the mechanisms of atherosclerosis.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Joseph Kamtchum-Tatuene, Luca Saba, Mirjam R. Heldner, Michiel H. F. Poorthuis, Gert J. de Borst, Tatjana Rundek, Stavros K. Kakkos, Seemant Chaturvedi, Raffi Topakian, Joseph F. Polak, Glen C. Jickling
Summary: This study demonstrates that circulating IL-6 levels predict carotid plaque severity, vulnerability, and progression. A cutoff of 2.0 pg/mL for IL-6 levels could facilitate the selection of individuals that would benefit from anti-IL-6 drugs for stroke prevention.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lana Fani, Dianne H. K. Van Dam-Nolen, Meike Vernooij, Maryam Kavousi, Aad van der Lugt, Daniel Bos
Summary: The study suggests that innate immunity is linked to larger carotid atherosclerotic plaques, while adaptive immunity seems to be associated with smaller plaques and a lower frequency of intraplaque hemorrhage. This imbalance in innate and adaptive immunity may play a role in the vulnerability of carotid atherosclerotic plaques.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Max Lenz, Christoph Kaun, Konstantin A. Krychtiuk, Patrick Haider, Mira Brekalo, Nadine Maier, Laura Goederle, Christoph J. Binder, Kurt Huber, Christian Hengstenberg, Johann Wojta, Philipp J. Hohensinner, Walter S. Speidl
Summary: The study found that nicorandil has a positive effect on stabilizing atherosclerotic plaque by reducing apoptosis.
Article
Immunology
Tao Sun, Fei Wang, Yiming He, Bo Mao, Mengtao Han, Han Liu, Peng Zhao, Xingang Li, Donghai Wang
Summary: Enlarged pericarotid lymph nodes are present in symptomatic patients with carotid atherosclerosis, and may indicate plaque instability.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Louise Menegaut, Aline Laubriet, Valentin Crespy, Damien Leleu, Thomas Pilot, Kevin Van Dongen, Jean-Paul Pais de Barros, Thomas Gautier, Jean-Michel Petit, Charles Thomas, Maxime Nguyen, Eric Steinmetz, David Masson
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the increase of 2-AA-LPC in carotid plaques from T2DM and control patients and explore its association with plaque vulnerability and biomarkers altered during diabetes. The results showed that 2-AA-LPC was significantly enriched in plaques from diabetic patients and correlated with inflammatory markers within the plaques. This highlights the involvement of local inflammation, arachidonic acid metabolism, and diabetes in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
CARDIOVASCULAR DIABETOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nicola Giannotti, Jonathan McNulty, Shane Foley, John McCabe, Marey Barry, Morgan Crowe, Eamon Dolan, Joseph Harbison, Gillian Horgan, Eoin Kavanagh, Martin O'Connell, Michael Marnane, Sean Murphy, Ciaran Mc Donnell, Martin O'Donohoe, David Williams, Peter J. Kelly
Summary: This study identified novel correlations between non-invasive imaging biomarkers of inflammation-related plaque metabolism and morphological MRI markers of plaque instability. If replicated, these findings may support the use of combined MRI and PET to detect vulnerable plaque in future clinical practice and randomized trials.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Christian Agudelo, Alberto R. Ramos, Hannah Gardener, Ken Cheung, Mitchell S. V. Elkind, Ralph L. Sacco, Tatjana Rundek
Summary: This study found an association between long sleep duration and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis, which may explain the previously observed link between long sleep and stroke. However, short sleep duration and daytime sleepiness were not significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manuela Montanaro, Manuel Scimeca, Lucia Anemona, Francesca Servadei, Erica Giacobbi, Rita Bonfiglio, Elena Bonanno, Nicoletta Urbano, Arnaldo Ippoliti, Giuseppe Santeusanio, Orazio Schillaci, Alessandro Mauriello
Summary: This study investigated the association among histopathologic features of carotid plaque instability, presence of micro- or macrocalcifications, expression of inflammatory biomarkers, and major risk factors. Results showed that calcifications are common in carotid plaques, with a significant difference between micro- and macrocalcifications. Microcalcifications were associated with high inflammation and instability, while macrocalcifications seemed to stabilize the plaque and were related to M2 macrophage polarization.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Valentina Nardi, Federico Franchi, Megha Prasad, Erica M. Fatica, Mariam P. Alexander, Melanie C. Bois, Josephine Lam, Ravinder J. Singh, Fredric B. Meyer, Giuseppe Lanzino, Yuning Xiong, Esther Lutgens, Lilach O. Lerman, Amir Lerman
Summary: The presence and concentration of uric acid (UA) are higher in symptomatic carotid plaques. Serum UA levels are also higher in patients with symptoms. This suggests that UA may play a role in the pathogenesis of carotid atherosclerosis.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Shouming Luo, Xiaogen Ma, Weiqiang Wu, Shu Lin, Mindian Li, Zhihui Zhang, Ping Zhu, Zhiyuan Song
Summary: Continuous hypobaric hypoxia (CHH) may accelerate the progression of atherosclerosis by promoting angiogenesis and inflammation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yu Wang, Bohong Li, Yong Jiang, Runhua Zhang, Xia Meng, Xingquan Zhao, Yongjun Wang, Xihai Zhao, Gaifen Liu
Summary: This study found a significant association between high levels of YKL-40 and carotid plaque instability, even after adjusting for various risk factors. Individuals with high YKL-40 levels may have a higher risk of unstable carotid plaque.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Lena Lavie, Erez Si-On, Aaron Hoffman
Summary: Patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) exhibited significantly higher levels of 3-nitrotyrosine and intracellular lipid content in carotid plaques, along with lower SMC-actin levels. These markers are associated with increased plaque vulnerability and instability, indicating a higher susceptibility to plaque rupture in SDB patients.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Matthew C. Tattersall, Alison S. Dasiewicz, Robyn L. McClelland, Nizar N. Jarjour, Claudia E. Korcarz, Carol C. Mitchell, Stephane Esnault, Moyses Szklo, James H. Stein
Summary: This study found an association between persistent asthma and carotid plaque burden, as well as higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers in participants with persistent asthma. The association between carotid plaque and asthma subtype was not attenuated after adjusting for baseline inflammatory biomarkers, indicating that the increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease among those with persistent asthma may be multifactorial.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Jean Jacques Noubiap, Joseph Kamtchum-Tatuene, John L. Fitzgerald, Prashanthan Sanders
Summary: The study found that carotid stenosis was not associated with ischemic stroke, but was linked to thromboembolism. There was more consistent evidence suggesting that carotid plaque predicts stroke or transient ischemic attack in AF patients. Including carotid plaque and carotid intima-media thickness may improve stroke prediction and prevention in AF patients.
JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Menno P. J. de Winther, Magnus Back, Paul Evans, Delphine Gomez, Isabel Goncalves, Helle F. Jorgensen, Rory R. Koenen, Esther Lutgens, Giuseppe Danilo Norata, Elena Osto, Lea Dib, Michael Simons, Konstantinos Stellos, Seppo Yla-Herttuala, Holger Winkels, Marie-Luce Bochaton-Piallat, Claudia Monaco
Summary: The advent of single-cell biology has opened up new possibilities for understanding human biological processes and diagnosing, monitoring, and treating diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). By analyzing CVD samples at the single-cell level, new cell communities that play a role in disease development can be identified, leading to new therapeutic strategies. This review focuses on the single-cell analysis of atherosclerotic plaques, highlighting the current understanding of cellular subpopulations and their heterogeneity and plasticity in relation to clinically relevant features. The clinical impact of single-cell technologies in CVD patient care is emphasized, calling for multidisciplinary and international collaborative efforts.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Silvia Pica, Gabriele Crimi, Serenella Castelvecchio, Vittorio Pazzanese, Anna Palmisano, Massimo Lombardi, Lara Tondi, Antonio Esposito, Pietro Ameri, Claudia Canale, Alberto Cappelletti, Luca P. Alberti, Davide Tavano, Rita Camporotondo, Ilaria Costantino, Jenness Campodonico, Gianluca Pontone, Alessandra Villani, Gianluca Pio Gallone, Rocco A. Montone, Giampaolo Niccoli, Paola Gargiulo, Bruna Punzo, Marco Vicenzi, Stefano Carugo, Lorenzo Menicanti, Giuseppe Ambrosio, Paolo G. Camici
Summary: This study investigated the presence of left ventricular (LV) remodelling after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. The results showed that LV remodelling in the subacute phase may not be detrimental, but rather a compensatory response associated with improved LV ejection fraction (EF) at follow-up. However, LV remodelling accompanied by an increase in end-systolic volume index (LV-REMESV) was associated with a decrease in LV-EF, driven by the infarct size.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Wolfgang Poller, Bettina Heidecker, Enrico Ammirati, Andreas W. Kuss, Ana Tzvetkova, Wolfram C. Poller, Carsten Skurk, Arash Haghikia
Summary: In the field of clinical immunology, the outbreak of COVID-19 has driven studies on the role of inflammation in cardiovascular diseases. Advanced molecular genetic methods have been used to explore the diagnostic significance of these diseases and to identify immunological interactions at organ and system levels. Additionally, research has shown the influence of emotional stress on viral and cardiovascular disorders through brain-immune system interactions. However, there are challenges that need to be addressed before these findings can be fully applied in the clinical arena.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Laura Calabresi, Giuseppe Danilo Norata
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Edoardo Conte, Olivia Leoni, Enrico Ammirati, Massimo Imazio, Antonio Brucato
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Francesco Moroni, Abhishek Chaturvedi, Ehsan Jafree, Zachary M. Gertz
Summary: Approximately 2/3 of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have significant left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO), which is caused by the interaction mitral valve apparatus and the hypertrophied septum. The contribution of mitral valve remodeling to the development of obstruction over time has never been described. We analyzed retrospectively 40 patients with HCM and no baseline obstruction followed up for a median of 2179 days. At follow up, 13 patients developed significant LVOTO. Patients who developed LVOTO had longer posterior leaflets and longer anterior leaflet residual length.
INDIAN HEART JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Andrea Tedeschi, Massimiliano Camilli, Enrico Ammirati, Piero Gentile, Matteo Palazzini, Nicolina Conti, Alessandro Verde, Gabriella Masciocco, Grazia Foti, Cristina Giannattasio, Andrea Garascia
Summary: Although immune checkpoint inhibitors have greatly improved cancer therapy, they can lead to immune-related adverse events, with myocarditis being the most severe complication. Clinical suspicion arises from symptoms and increases in cardiac biomarkers or electrocardiographic manifestations. While echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are recommended, endomyocardial biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis. Treatment currently relies on glucocorticoids, but interest in other immunosuppressive agents is growing. Some case reports suggest the safety of rechallenging low-grade myocarditis, highlighting the need for further studies in this area.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jasmine Nour, Fabrizia Bonacina, Giuseppe D. Norata
Summary: Epidemiological data and interventional studies suggest that women have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to men until menopause. The molecular mechanisms underlying this difference are still debated, but experimental models have shown that estrogen receptor activation is atheroprotective. Additionally, the importance of sex chromosome complement on atherosclerosis beyond sex hormones is also worth investigating.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lorenzo Da Dalt, Ainara G. Cabodevilla, Ira J. Goldberg, Giuseppe Danilo Norata
Summary: Maintaining a balance in energy utilization is crucial for metabolic tissues, especially the heart. Changes in energetic substrate preference and disruptions in lipid metabolism can lead to heart failure. This review focuses on the sources and uptake pathways of fatty acids in cardiomyocytes, as well as the mechanisms of lipid storage, oxidation, and the role of cholesterol accumulation in heart dysfunction.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lorenzo Da Dalt, Annalisa Moregola, Monika Svecla, Silvia Pedretti, Francesca Fantini, Mirko Ronzio, Patrizia Uboldi, Diletta Dolfini, Elena Donetti, Andrea Baragetti, Nico Mitro, Luca Scorrano, Giuseppe Danilo Norata
Summary: Impairment of mitochondrial fusion affects the development of liver steatosis and obesity. Mice lacking OPA1 are protected from high-fat diet-induced metabolic dysfunction due to reduced lipid absorption.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Maciej Banach, Giuseppe Danilo Norata
Summary: Elevated levels of LDL-C increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and reducing LDL-C levels can lower the risk of cardiovascular adverse events. Red yeast rice (RYR) has cholesterol-lowering effects due to its bioactive components (monacolins) that inhibit the activity of HMG-CoA reductase. However, the use of RYR as a food supplement at a dose of 10 mg/day raises significant safety concerns, and serious adverse effects have been reported at even lower doses.
CURRENT ATHEROSCLEROSIS REPORTS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Critical Care Medicine
Enrico Ammirati, Esther Vorovich, Alain Combes
INTENSIVE CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Letter
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Michele Golino, Francesco Moroni, Salvatore Carbone, Giuliana Corna, Cory Trankle, Hayley E. Billingsley, Marco G. Del Buono, Azita H. Talasaz, Georgia K. Thomas, Roberto De Ponti, Jeremy Turlington, Roshanak Markley, Ross Arena, Justin M. Canada, Benjamin Van Tassell, Antonio Abbate
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Michele Golino, Francesco Moroni, Antonio Abbate
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Vivek Krishna Pulakazhi Venu, Annalisa Moregola, Lorenzo Da Dalt, Patrizia Uboldi, Fabrizia Bonacina, Andres Fernando Muro, Giuseppe Danilo Norata
Summary: This study investigates the role of the Extra Domain A (EDA) of fibronectin in sepsis. Results show that mice with EDA expression are protected against sepsis, and neutrophils bind more to FN_EDA+ surface, potentially limiting over-reactivity.
ATHEROSCLEROSIS PLUS
(2023)