Insects are a major class of arthropods distributed throughout the earth. As the largest group of animals, there are more than one million known insect species, which play an important role in the biosphere. Some insects, such as silkworms and bees (domesticated insects), are economically important for humans and agriculture, while other insects, like locusts and other pests, adversely affect agricultural production and human life. Additionally, mosquitoes may also spread human diseases. Insects like Drosophila melanogaster have been used as model organisms for genetic and immunological research.
Over the last three decades, the interaction between hosts and pathogens, including bacteria and fungi, has been systematically studied in Drosophila and other model insects. In recent years, more research focused on the interaction of insects with viruses, and accumulating results reveal that immune responses of insects to viruses are distinct from those against bacteria and fungi. The mechanism of viral infection and triggered insect immunity is not fully understood. Studies on antiviral immunity in insects have emerged as a new frontier, providing mechanistic bases and targets for pest control and resistance improvement, with relevance to antiviral research in humans as well.
This Research Topic will focus on recent advances in our understanding of insect immunity against viral infection. We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Methods and Perspective articles covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
1. Insect virus structure and invasion mechanisms
2. Immune cell receptors involved in the recognition of insect viruses
3. Immune responses against insect viruses
4. Mechanisms of immune evasion adopted by insect viruses
5. Regulation of insect behaviors during viral infections
6. New therapeutic strategies for insect viral infections
Insects are a major class of arthropods distributed throughout the earth. As the largest group of animals, there are more than one million known insect species, which play an important role in the biosphere. Some insects, such as silkworms and bees (domesticated insects), are economically important for humans and agriculture, while other insects, like locusts and other pests, adversely affect agricultural production and human life. Additionally, mosquitoes may also spread human diseases. Insects like Drosophila melanogaster have been used as model organisms for genetic and immunological research.
Over the last three decades, the interaction between hosts and pathogens, including bacteria and fungi, has been systematically studied in Drosophila and other model insects. In recent years, more research focused on the interaction of insects with viruses, and accumulating results reveal that immune responses of insects to viruses are distinct from those against bacteria and fungi. The mechanism of viral infection and triggered insect immunity is not fully understood. Studies on antiviral immunity in insects have emerged as a new frontier, providing mechanistic bases and targets for pest control and resistance improvement, with relevance to antiviral research in humans as well.
This Research Topic will focus on recent advances in our understanding of insect immunity against viral infection. We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Methods and Perspective articles covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
1. Insect virus structure and invasion mechanisms
2. Immune cell receptors involved in the recognition of insect viruses
3. Immune responses against insect viruses
4. Mechanisms of immune evasion adopted by insect viruses
5. Regulation of insect behaviors during viral infections
6. New therapeutic strategies for insect viral infections