Cardiovascular-Kidney-Liver-Metabolic (CKLM) Dysfunction and Atherosclerosis: Bridging Mechanisms, Imaging, and Therapeutic Innovation

Cardiovascular medicine and pharmacology are rapidly evolving fields, especially with multi-organ disorders such as cardiovascular-kidney-liver-metabolic (CKLM) syndrome. Recent advances have illuminated the relationship between CKLM dysfunction—including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)—and the development, progression, and residual risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). A mounting body of evidence demonstrates that vascular inflammation, hepatocardiorenal signaling, and disturbed metabolic pathways not only contribute to plaque instability and vascular injury but also present new imaging signatures and therapeutic opportunities. Despite progress, gaps persist in understanding the heterogeneity of disease phenotypes, the interplay between inflammatory, metabolic, and hepatic pathways, and the translation of preclinical discoveries into clinical interventions.This Research Topic aims to synthesize knowledge on the links between CKLM dysfunction and atherosclerosis, with emphasis on vascular inflammation, disease phenotyping, and therapeutic strategies. Key questions to be addressed include the mechanistic underpinnings of CKLM-driven atherosclerosis, the role of MASLD/MASH in vascular risk, the identification of biomarkers, and the impact of imaging modalities in improving diagnosis and guiding interventions. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, this Topic seeks to accelerate the clinical adoption of targeted therapeutics for reducing ASCVD burden across cardiovascular, renal, metabolic, and hepatic disease axes.Themes We Welcome:-Mechanistic studies of vascular inflammation in CKLM syndrome-The role of MASLD and MASH in the development and progression of atherosclerosis-Biomarker discovery and clinical validation for disease stratification across the CKLM axis-Preclinical and translational models of CKLM-atherosclerosis interplay-Development and evaluation of imaging techniques for vascular and hepatic assessment in ASCVD-Therapeutic approaches to residual ASCVD risk-Clinical investigations on phenotyping and treatment monitoring in CKLM-atherosclerotic disease Topic editors: Yung-Chih Chen, Yen Chin Koay Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80649/cardiovascular-kidney-liver-metabolic-cklm-dysfunction-and-atherosclerosis-bridging-mechanisms-imaging-and-therapeutic-innovation