Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Studies of regulatory mechanisms controlling key pathological mediators have recently highlighted a previously unrecognized intrinsic link between activation of specific elements of the innate immune system, by endogenous ligands released from cellular compartments in response to tissue injury, and the initiation and progression of vascular inflammation, arteriopathy, and cardiac failure associated with vascular grafts and cardiac transplantation. Identification and further understanding of the molecular mechanisms whereby several risk factors, ischemia, and hemodynamics interact with the immune system to modulate vascular cell function, proliferation, and remodeling, and cell response to injury could facilitate the identification of novel molecular targets with the potential to translate rapidly into innovative therapeutics. Drugs that modulate these systems represent an exciting new area of pharmaceutical development.

We invite authors to submit original research and review articles that address the important challenges and opportunities that exist in this area to exploit developments with the potential to facilitate the implementation of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease. In addition to outside contributions, participant authors of relevant papers from the “2nd Royal Free International Cardiovascular Diseases Workshop” held at the Royal Free Hospital, London, are encouraged to submit extended versions of their workshop papers to the Special Issue. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• The emerging role of Toll-like receptors in cardiovascular disease
• Protecting the heart by ischemic preconditioning
• New aspects of scavenger receptor signaling
• Nitric oxide and the immune system in cardiovascular disease
• Tissue repair; metalloproteinase's and tissue inhibitors

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/crp/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/submit/journals/crp/cscd/ according to the following timetable:

Manuscript Due	June 15, 2011
First Round of Reviews	September 15, 2011
Publication Date	December 15, 2011

Lead Guest Editor

• Sidney G. Shaw, Vasoactive Peptide Group, Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, 3004 Bern, Switzerland

Guest Editors

• David J. Abraham, Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissues Diseases, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London, UK
• Daryll M. Baker, Vascular Unit, Academic Department of Surgery, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, UK
• Janice Tsui, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, UCL, Royal Free Campus, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, UK