About this Research Topic
Ageing, a process of physiological adaptation resulting in gradual decline in the health-span of an individual, is a common risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders. In recent years, it has become increasingly appreciated that the immune system plays a fundamental role in the pathogenesis as well as repair of several age-related neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. Several new advances in the ability to study the interaction of immune cells with neural cells including astrocytes and microglia has elucidated an even greater understanding of neuroimmunological mechanisms and phenotypes. Recent clinical trials targeting cells of the immune system have yielded both successes and failures in attempts to alter the course of neurodegenerative conditions.
In light of the increasing knowledge of the impact ageing has on cellular functions, the goal of this Research Topic is to advance our understanding of the conditions and factors underlying the benefits and detriments of immune cell function in age-related neurodegenerative conditions. It is also critical to understand the types and roles of different immune cells involved in neurodegenerative conditions, in addition to gaining an understanding of the age-related alterations in immune cell function. Harnessing immunity to slow down the progression of neurodegenerative conditions in addition to enhancing central nervous system repair will ultimately yield promising therapeutic strategies for several age-related neurodegenerative conditions in which the immune system plays a significant role.
The scope of the current Research Topic is to include original research articles as well as reviews describing the contribution of the immune system to mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration and repair. Specific themes to be covered in this Research Topic may include:
• Role of innate immunity in neurodegeneration and repair
• Contribution of adaptive immunity in neurodegeneration and repair
• Cross-talk between the immune system and cells of the central nervous system to mediate degeneration and repair
• Recent advances in techniques used to study the role of the immune system in central nervous system injury (i.e. mass cytometry, scRNA-seq etc.)
• Therapeutic strategies and clinical interventions to modulate immune cell function in central nervous system degeneration and repair
• The role of ageing on immune cell function in the context of neurodegeneration (e.g. Immunometabolism, inflammaging, Immunesenescence etc...)
• Role of CNS vasculature and the ‘brain lymphatics’ in governing age-related immune functions and subsequent neurodegeneration and repair.
In light of the increasing knowledge of the impact ageing has on cellular functions, the goal of this Research Topic is to advance our understanding of the conditions and factors underlying the benefits and detriments of immune cell function in age-related neurodegenerative conditions. It is also critical to understand the types and roles of different immune cells involved in neurodegenerative conditions, in addition to gaining an understanding of the age-related alterations in immune cell function. Harnessing immunity to slow down the progression of neurodegenerative conditions in addition to enhancing central nervous system repair will ultimately yield promising therapeutic strategies for several age-related neurodegenerative conditions in which the immune system plays a significant role.
The scope of the current Research Topic is to include original research articles as well as reviews describing the contribution of the immune system to mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration and repair. Specific themes to be covered in this Research Topic may include:
• Role of innate immunity in neurodegeneration and repair
• Contribution of adaptive immunity in neurodegeneration and repair
• Cross-talk between the immune system and cells of the central nervous system to mediate degeneration and repair
• Recent advances in techniques used to study the role of the immune system in central nervous system injury (i.e. mass cytometry, scRNA-seq etc.)
• Therapeutic strategies and clinical interventions to modulate immune cell function in central nervous system degeneration and repair
• The role of ageing on immune cell function in the context of neurodegeneration (e.g. Immunometabolism, inflammaging, Immunesenescence etc...)
• Role of CNS vasculature and the ‘brain lymphatics’ in governing age-related immune functions and subsequent neurodegeneration and repair.
Keywords: Neurodegeneration, immune system, Microglia, Astrocyte, Ageing
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
