Frontiers in Atherosclerosis Research 2026: From Emerging Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Innovations

This is a Research Topic initiated by NAVBO, the North American Vascular Biology Organization. Our goal is to identify the next frontiers in atherosclerosis research and to drive the development of innovative clinical approaches.Atherosclerosis remains the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite significant advances, major challenges persist in both mechanistic understanding and clinical management. Heterogeneity in vascular diseases across molecular, cellular, and patient levels complicates therapeutic target identification, underscoring the need for systems-based, multi-omics–driven precision medicine. Clinically, progress is further hindered by the limited availability of drugs for specific vascular disease manifestations and by the expense and complexity of large outcome trials. These barriers underscore the urgent need for integrated and innovative strategies.This Research Topic aims to highlight advances spanning the full continuum of atherosclerosis research, from fundamental science through translational research to clinical implementation. Areas of particular interest include novel molecular mechanisms, new therapeutic targets, and the use of single-cell and spatial technologies to dissect vascular and immune cell heterogeneity. We also welcome studies exploring epigenetic and non-coding RNA regulation, the roles of systemic metabolism and the gut microbiome, as well as sex-specific mechanisms in vascular disease.On the translational and clinical front, we encourage submissions addressing plaque instability and rupture, vascular remodeling, biomarker discovery, and disparities in disease burden. Rapidly evolving approaches—including omics technologies, systems biology, artificial intelligence, and computational modeling—are opening new avenues to accelerate drug discovery, refine risk prediction, and have the potential to enable precision therapies. Undervalued topics such as exposure to risk factors in early life influencing vascular health and the role of lymphatics in plaque development are particularly promising areas for research.All manuscript types will be considered, including original research articles, full reviews, mini reviews, opinion articles, and methodology papers. We invite innovative manuscripts on, but not limited to, the following topics:• Cell heterogeneity• Vascular inflammation• Monocytes/macrophages• Lymphocytes• Smooth muscle cells• Endothelial cells• Vascular aging• Cellular senescence• Vascular calcification• Lipids• Cell differentiation• Endothelial to mesenchymal transition• Coronary artery disease• Peripheral artery disease• Rare vascular disorders• Clonal hematopoiesis• Oxidative stress/redox signaling• Thromobosis• Pulmonary arterial hypertension• Epigenetic regulation• Non-coding RNAs• Vascular imaging• Matrix remodeling• Bioengineering• Gut microbiome• Lymphatic biology• Dysmetabolism• Sex-specific mechanisms• Plaque instability and rupture• Remote organ crosstalk• The roles of infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, COVID-19, gum disease)• Health disparities in vascular disease• Systems biology and network medicine• Single-cell and spatial technologies• Omics• Next-generation technologies• Drug discovery and development• Early detection and risk prediction• Biomarker discovery and development• Precision vascular medicine• Digital and computational vascular medicine• Nanoparticle-based therapies• RNA or DNA-based therapeutics• Vaccines*Topic editor Dr. Ken Fujise is employed by Fortiscience, Inc. The other Topic Editors report no competing interests related to this Research Topic. Topic editors: Masanori Aikawa, Jun-ichi Abe, Mabruka Alfaidi, Holger Winkels, Partha Dutta, Lianwang Guo, Jun-ichiro Koga, Adil Rasheed, Nicholas Chavkin, Norbert Gerdes Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/74433/frontiers-in-atherosclerosis-research-2026-from-emerging-molecular-mechanisms-to-clinical-innovations