Regulated cell death (RCD), cellular demise mediated by molecular pathways, is a fundamental biological process that underlies many (patho)physiological traits, including organismal development, tissue homeostasis, and immune responses. Many forms of regulated cell death exist, each induced by a particular activation signal and mediated by a distinct molecular mechanism. RCD plays an integral role in the control of infections. RCD restricts the spread of invading pathogens through the removal of infected cells and controls activated immune cells from going awry once these have fulfilled their function. Pathogens have evolved to control the pathways of RCD to benefit their life cycles. Many pathogens block RCD to allow propagation, whilst others induce RCD to allow the release and spread of their progeny. Depending on the type of RCD and strength of the activating signal, the immunological consequences of RCD may vary; some forms of RCD are immunologically silent, whereas other forms of RCD can lead to, sometimes severe, inflammation. Recent studies have revealed that several of the RCD pathways can interact. This has significantly broadened our understanding of how the pathways of regulated cell death help control pathogenic infections, auto-immune- and inflammatory diseases, and has indicated that the pathways of RCD may be therapeutically manipulated to control diseases.

The goal of this Research Topic is to provide a comprehensive and concise overview of the various modes of regulated cell death and how these modes are involved in the immunological control of pathogenic infections, how pathogens interfere with the pathways of regulated cell death to establish infection, how deregulation of these pathways may lead to inflammatory diseases, and how therapeutic exploitation of regulated cell death may aid the control of infectious and immunological diseases. We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Opinion, and Hypothesis and Theory articles, including but not limited to, the following topics:

1. The immunological consequences of RCD in the context of bacterial infections

2. The immunological consequences of RCD in the context of viral infections

3. The immunological consequences of RCD in the context of fungal infections

4. The immunological consequences of RCD in the context of protozoal infections

5. The immunological consequences of RCD in the context of sterile inflammation and/or inflammatory diseases

6. The immunological consequences of the interplay between the pathways of RCD

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