Lipids and lipoproteins in the interstitial tissue fluid regulate the formation of dysfunctional tissue-resident macrophages: Implications for atherogenic, tumorigenic, and obesogenic processes.

An inflammatory and lipid-enriched tissue microenvironment is a common characteristic of the extracellular niches of affected tissues in atherosclerosis, cancer, and obesity. These respective interstitial environments appear to be induced by infiltration of plasma lipids and early local recruitment of monocyte-derived macrophages. In the tissue niches, the macrophages display remarkable phenotypic and functional plasticity and exert multifaceted roles in tissue homeostasis.

CD4+ T-lymphocytes in human saccular intracranial aneurysm walls are associated with aneurysm rupture.

Chronic inflammation in saccular intracranial aneurysm (sIA) walls is associated with wall rupture. Previous studies have shown an association between macrophages and CD3+ T-lymphocytes with sIA wall degeneration and rupture but the roles of T-lymphocyte subtypes and B-lymphocytes are poorly understood. Here, cyclic multiplexed immunofluorescent staining was used to investigate the presence of T-lymphocytes helper CD4+ and cytotoxic CD8+ T-lymphocytes and CD20+ B-lymphocytes in 16 unruptured and 20 ruptured sIA walls.

Carotid endarterectomy and the risk of perioperative stroke: The importance of chronic ischaemic lesions and small vessel disease.

Background And Purpose: Perioperative stroke is a well-recognized complication of carotid endarterectomy (CEA), but well-performing prediction models do not exist for it. Our aim was to identify novel predictors for perioperative ischaemic cerebrovascular events (iCVEs), emphasizing cerebrovascular imaging and potential biomarkers for stroke in carotid stenosis (CS) patients in a well-characterized prospective CS cohort.

Methods: Helsinki Carotid Endarterectomy Study 2 is an observational prospective and consecutive cohort study of CS patients subjected to CEA during 2012-2015.

Drugs for dyslipidaemia: the legacy effect of the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S).

Since the discovery of statins and the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S) results three decades ago, remarkable advances have been made in the treatment of dyslipidaemia, a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Safe and effective statins remain the cornerstone of therapeutic approach for this indication, including for children with genetic dyslipidaemia, and are one of the most widely prescribed drugs in the world. However, despite the affordability of generic statins, they remain underutilised worldwide.

Heart-healthy diets including phytostanol ester consumption to reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. A clinical review.

The risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs) can be reduced by lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations. Nevertheless, ASCVDs still cause most deaths worldwide. Here, we discuss the prevention of ASCVD and the event risk with a focus on heart-healthy diets, i.

Treatment with APAC, a dual antiplatelet anticoagulant heparin proteoglycan mimetic, limits early collar-induced carotid atherosclerotic plaque development in Apoe mice.

Background And Aims: Mast cell-derived heparin proteoglycans (HEP-PG) can be mimicked by bioconjugates carrying antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory properties. The dual antiplatelet and anticoagulant (APAC) construct administered, either locally or intravenously (i.v.

Statins for the prevention of cardiovascular events associated with avian influenza: the COVID-19 pandemic as a reference.

There is growing concern that the severe respiratory disease in birds (avian influenza or 'bird flu') caused by the H5N1 influenza virus, might potentially spread more widely to humans and cause a pandemic. Here we discuss clinical issues related to human infections by the highly pathogenic H5N1 subtype of the avian influenza A virus and make a clinical comparison with recent information obtained from studies of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Firstly, we consider the potential increase in cardiovascular events in humans infected with the H5N1 virus.

SARS-CoV-2 reinfection: Adding insult to dysfunctional endothelium in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

In this short narrative review, we aim at defining the pathophysiological role endothelial dysfunction in the observed COVID-19-associated rise in risk of cardiovascular disease. Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have caused several epidemic waves of COVID-19, and the emergence and rapid spread of new variants and subvariants are likely. Based on a large cohort study, the incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection is about 0.

Lipoprotein(a) induces caspase-1 activation and IL-1 signaling in human macrophages.

Introduction: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an LDL-like particle with an additional apolipoprotein (apo)(a) covalently attached. Elevated levels of circulating Lp(a) are a risk factor for atherosclerosis. A proinflammatory role for Lp(a) has been proposed, but its molecular details are incompletely defined.

Obesity-induced changes in cancer cells and their microenvironment: Mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives to manage dysregulated lipid metabolism.

Obesity has been closely related to cancer progression, recurrence, metastasis, and treatment resistance. We aim to review recent progress in the knowledge on the obese macroenvironment and the generated adipose tumor microenvironment (TME) inducing lipid metabolic dysregulation and their influence on carcinogenic processes. Visceral white adipose tissue expansion during obesity exerts systemic or macroenvironmental effects on tumor initiation, growth, and invasion by promoting inflammation, hyperinsulinemia, growth-factor release, and dyslipidemia.

Coronary microcirculatory dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic patients with COVID-19: potential benefit from cholesterol-lowering treatment.

Patients with hypercholesterolemia often have coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). Viral infections, such as the SARS-CoV-2 infection, may also result in CMD. Three non-randomized studies have shown significant beneficial effects of statins on CMD in non-infected patients.

Familial hypercholesterolemia: The nexus of endothelial dysfunction and lipoprotein metabolism in COVID-19.

Purpose Of Review: Patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) are at increased risk for COVID-19 cardiovascular complications in the acute phase of the infection. Elevated levels of LDL-C and often lipoprotein(a) are present from birth and lead to endothelial dysfunction, which is aggravated by a direct viral attack of the endothelial cells and their exposure to the toxic levels of circulating proinflammatory and prothrombotic mediators during the hyperinflammatory reaction typical of COVID-19.

Recent Findings: Evidence to date shows the benefit of lipid-lowering therapy in patients with COVID-19.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia Patients with COVID-19-Effective Cholesterol-Lowering Therapy is Urgent both during and after Infection.

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) patients are the prime example of subjects who are at high risk for both acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and ischemic stroke during, and post, SARS-CoV-2 infection. HeFH , if left untreated, results in premature clinical atherosclerosis often presenting in the fourth or fifth decade of life. The other concern in HeFH is endothelial dysfunction which is already evident from early childhood.

Maleficent Comrades: War in Ukraine and COVID-19.

Infectious diseases and war are maleficent comrades. This reality applies equally well to the war in Ukraine and the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Europe is facing a huge refugee crisis and potentially the conflict could worsen the COVID-19 pandemic.