Shaping the future of cardiovascular research: a focus on cardioimmunology

Résumé fourni par la source

The Scientists of Tomorrow (SoT) initiative, launched in 2013 within the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), represents a cornerstone of ESC’s strategy to advance cardiovascular science by nurturing the next generation of researchers.1 With a focus on early-career scientists, SoT plays a pivotal role in the global effort to drive both basic and translational cardiovascular research forward. Through fostering collaboration, promoting professional development, and encouraging scientific innovation, SoT is helping shape the future of cardiovascular medicine, providing young researchers with a platform to make meaningful contributions to the field (Figure 1). This figure illustrates the Scientists of Tomorrow (SoT) activities, which support early-career researchers in all areas of cardiovascular medicine by building a collaborative and interdisciplinary network. The central heart represents the SoT, fostering mentorship (bottom right), training sessions (bottom left), and idea exchange (center left) to equip young scientists with essential skills and connections. On the right, the present article authors SoT members research focuses are highlighted: cellular studies on the impact of cardioimmunology (top), AI-based modeling (center) to analyze complex biological data, and personalized approaches for patient stratification (bottom) aimed at improving cardiovascular treatments The Scientists of Tomorrow’s primary mission is to create a network that connects early-career cardiovascular researchers with the broader scientific community within the ESC and beyond. This initiative supports young investigators by facilitating collaborations across all cardiovascular subfields, including basic science and clinical research. By engaging early-career researchers in the latest advancements, SoT fosters an environment where young scientists can connect and thrive. One of the ways by which SoT achieves its goals is by creating opportunities for young researchers to present their work and meet at ESC events, such as the prestigious ESC Congress, where they can showcase their findings and gain visibility within the global cardiovascular research community. Additionally, this initiative promotes mentorship, providing young scientists with access to senior researchers who offer guidance and advice for navigating the complexities of academic and clinical research careers. Scientists of Tomorrow is also a bridge to promote research collaborations and opportunities though the establishment of these connections with peers and senior researchers, ensuring that the next generation of cardiovascular researchers is well equipped to drive meaningful progress in the field. The initiative also emphasizes inclusivity, promoting gender balance in research participation and leadership, while ensuring that under-represented groups have a voice in the global conversation on cardiovascular health. This commitment to diversity is essential for fostering a collaborative research environment where different perspectives can contribute to innovative solutions. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 17.9 million deaths each year, according to the World Health Organization. The most prevalent contributors to this mortality burden are coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease. A myriad of risk factors, including hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, obesity, and smoking, significantly exacerbate the global prevalence of CVDs. These risk factors drive chronic conditions like atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure, leading to a growing need for innovative research that can reduce these risks and improve patient outcomes. As per the present article, the SoT team will highlight the relevance of the immune system in the cardiovascular field. In recent years, the intersection of immunology and CVD has become an increasingly prominent focus in research, thanks to growing evidence that links chronic inflammation to the development and progression of CVDs. Immunological processes are now understood to play a critical role in a variety of cardiovascular conditions, from atherosclerosis to heart failure, making this an essential area of study for the SoT. A growing body of evidence shows that chronic inflammation is a key factor in the development of atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of many cardiovascular events.2 Atherosclerosis is characterized by the build-up of fatty plaques within arterial walls, leading to narrowing and hardening of the arteries. This process is not simply a matter of lipid accumulation; it involves complex interactions among immune cells, endothelial cells, and other components of the arterial wall. In fact, chronic inflammation within the arterial wall promotes atherosclerotic plaque instability, increasing the risk of rupture and thrombosis, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking are known to promote chronic inflammation, exacerbating the development of atherosclerosis. Actually, recent research has demonstrated that individuals with higher levels of systemic inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein, are at significantly greater risk for cardiovascular events.3 This association has led to growing interest in the potential for anti-inflammatory therapies to reduce cardiovascular risk.4 As an example, a class of drugs with immunomodulatory effects are statins, widely known for their cholesterol-lowering properties. Beyond their lipid-lowering effects, statins have been shown to reduce inflammation within arterial walls by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6). Other recent studies have additionally suggested that direct inhibition of IL-6 or IL-1β has beneficial clinical outcomes by reducing cardiovascular events.5,6 Immunological processes are also implicated in the pathogenesis of heart failure and myocarditis. In cases of heart failure, particularly heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, inflammation plays a central role in promoting myocardial fibrosis and dysfunction. It has been reported that pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor-alpha and IL-1β, contribute to adverse cardiac remodelling in patients with heart failure.5,6 Targeting these inflammatory pathways is currently being explored as a potential therapeutic strategy for improving outcomes in heart failure patients. Overall, the focus of SoT on cutting-edge areas such as immunology, highlighted here, but also other hot topics like artificial intelligence, and personalized medicine highlights the importance of young researchers in addressing the global cardiovascular burden, which in many cases are the most suited to visualize and innovate towards advanced technology. The SoT ensures, by empowering young researchers and embracing inter-disciplinary collaboration, that the field of cardiovascular medicine continues to evolve, offering new hope for patients worldwide. Their contributions will undoubtedly help shape the future of cardiovascular health and disease prevention. We thank the Scientists of Tomorrow team and advisors: Dr Gemma Chiva, Dr Julien Brac, Dr Jan Willem Buikema, Dr Carolina Balbi, Dr Romain Capoulade, Dr Fabrizia Bonacina. All authors declare no disclosure of interest for this contribution. This work was supported by a British Heart Foundation (BHF) Transitional Fellowship (Imperial College London BHF Centre of Research Excellence-RE/18/4/34215) and BHF Project Grant (BHF-PG/23/11336) both to S.B.-A. Also, the Center for Clinical Research within the faculty of Medicine at the RWTH Aachen University, by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) (SFB TRR219-M07) and by the Corona Foundation (S199/10084/2021) to E.P.C.v.d.V.

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