Thrombosis and Circulation: From Bench to Bedside

Thrombosis, a fundamental pathological concept, refers to the abnormal formation of blood clots within blood vessels that results in luminal obstruction. It represents a common pathological foundation for major cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and venous thromboembolism 1. Within the molecular regulatory mechanisms of thrombus development, the dysregulation of key elements, including the coagulation cascade, platelet activation, and fibrin network homeostasis, collectively constitutes the essence of its pathogenicity 2. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms not only reveals the profound threat that thrombotic diseases pose to human health but also lays a solid foundation for the research and development of targeted interventions. In contrast to thrombosis, circulation is a physiological process characterized by the continuous flow of blood through the vascular system, which enables substance exchange and maintains internal homeostasis. Circulatory homeostasis is maintained through coordinated mechanisms, including shear-stress-mediated mechanotransduction, regulation of endothelial function, and modulation of microcirculatory perfusion 3. Although thrombosis and circulation both involve the vascular system, they represent distinct but interconnected processes. Thrombosis reflects disease-promoting mechanisms under pathological conditions, whereas circulation supports homeostatic function under physiological conditions. However, thrombosis is not an isolated pathological event; its initiation, progression, and clinical consequences are dynamically shaped by circulation 4. This interplay between pathological and physiological processes highlights the dual role of the vascular system in disease pathogenesis and homeostatic maintenance. Integrative research on thrombosis and circulation deepens our understanding of vascular disease pathogenesis and provides a framework for translating basic discoveries into clinical practice. This approach has important scientific and clinical value for the prevention and treatment of major cardiopulmonary vascular and microvascular diseases. Thrombosis, circulation, and related vascular diseases do not exist in isolation. They are closely linked to inflammation, immunity, metabolism, malignancy, aging, and multimorbidity 5, 6. This complexity extends beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. Therefore, research on thrombosis- and circulation-related diseases requires an integrated approach that combines pathology, physiology, pathophysiology, and emerging disciplines. Such integration may identify new entry points and strengthen the evidence base for clinical solutions 7. Over recent decades, substantial progress has been made in elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate arterial and venous thrombosis as well as systemic, pulmonary, and microcirculatory homeostasis. Advances in multiomics, single-cell technologies, organoid models, imaging modalities, and computational science have deepened our understanding of disease pathogenesis 8-10. Nevertheless, cardiovascular diseases continue to impose a major global health and socioeconomic burden, alongside the increasing prevalence of multiple risk factors 11. However, the translation of these discoveries into clinically meaningful interventions remains incomplete and requires further strengthening. Against this backdrop of growing multidisciplinary integration and substantial unmet clinical needs, we have launched Thrombosis and Circulation Research (TCR) (Figure 1). The journal aims to provide a rigorous international forum that bridges basic discoveries and clinical applications in thrombosis, vascular biology, and circulatory medicine (Figure 2). Emphasis will be placed on researches that not only deepen our understanding of disease mechanisms but, more importantly, emphasize providing practical guidance for clinical diagnosis, prevention, and precision treatment through translational research. Zhenguo Zhai, Editor-in-Chief of Thrombosis and Circulation Research. Scope and translational framework of Thrombosis and Circulation Research. TCR will publish high-quality original research, reviews, and perspective articles covering thrombosis and hemostasis, vascular and endothelial biology, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, innovative therapies and drug development, emerging technologies, and clinical, translational, and interdisciplinary research spanning the full spectrum of circulatory medicine. Particular emphasis will be placed on translational and interdisciplinary research, including cutting-edge work using omics, artificial intelligence, precision medicine, and advanced experimental models. By encouraging exploration across traditional boundaries, we strive to catalyze new concepts and therapeutic strategies. The journal provides a collaborative platform for clinical experts in cardiology, pulmonology, hematology, and critical care to exchange ideas and research findings and to address complex clinical challenges. At the same time, it serves as an academic hub for researchers in basic and frontier fields, including immunology, biology, chemistry, pharmacology, and informatics, with a focus on experimental medicine and translational research. By promoting cross-disciplinary integration, TCR aims to translate mechanistic insights into clinical applications. The development of TCR depends on the collective efforts of our authors, reviewers, and readers, who share a commitment to scientific excellence and clinical relevance. We sincerely invite academic colleagues worldwide to join us in advancing this endeavor and to help shape TCR into a trusted academic platform. The journal aims to deepen understanding of thrombotic and circulatory diseases, guide clinical practice, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Zhenguo Zhai: writing – review and editing, writing – original draft, conceptualization, visualization. The author has nothing to report. The author has nothing to report. The author has nothing to report. Zhenguo Zhai serves as Editor-in-Chief of this journal. They were not involved in the editorial review or decision-making process for this manuscript. All editorial decisions were made independently by other members of the Editorial Board who have no conflicts of interest. The author has nothing to report.