Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are a complex group of diseases involving many different pathways within the innate and adaptive immune system. A crucial factor in determining immune response outcomes is the heterogeneity and plasticity of T cells, which are extremely heterogeneous with various combinations of surface markers and effector functions. These differences may have significant consequences for the function of the whole-cell population, as well as for health. We know that heterogeneity of CD3+ T cells exists, starting grossly with CD4+ and CD8+ cells, which are engaged in helper and cytotoxic responses, respectively. Although there is significant proof of the involvement of T cells, it has been unclear which T cell subtypes help orchestrate the damaging immune responses that underlie ADs. While it is clear that T cells play a central role in promoting ADs pathology, pinpointing the specific T cell phenotypes and/or functions that are most relevant in these diseases has been challenging. Moreover, the relationship between T cells heterogeneity and inflammation is still poorly understood.
The heterogeneity and plasticity of T cells are critical in determining the immune response. However, the precise relationship between inflammation and T cell heterogeneity and how the function of autoimmune T cells is initiated requires further study. Understanding how T cell subtypes take advantage of cell heterogeneity, plasticity, and diversity to achieve a wide range of functional flexibility, especially during dynamic processes such as development, differentiation, and antigenic response is a major challenge. The interaction between environmental/genetic/epigenetic/immune modifications and the specific function of transcription factors in regulating the immune system and in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases is an essential area of research. It may provide potential therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases and inspire further research in this field. Identifying specific TCR signaling, auto-antigens, transcription factors and networks that are involved in regulating T cell subtypes' balance and delineating their function is of great interest for autoimmune diseases. It is increasingly recognized that genetic profile, dysregulated expression, as well as the methylation status of the transcription factors, are essential in the differentiation, homeostasis, and function of different T cell subsets. The aim of this special issue will be to explore the cellular heterogeneity, lineage, and functional states of T cells as well as their inducing environmental cues involved in the pathogenesis and therapy of the rheumatic diseases.
We welcome authors to submit Original Research, Systematic Review, Review, Mini Review, Perspective and articles focusing on, but not limited to:
• Molecular analysis and functional studies in different autoimmune diseases, as well as in different tissue types, which will supply the mechanistic details necessary to comprehend these processes
• Understanding the possible impact of non-coding RNAs and retrotransposons on T cells frequency and function
• Autoimmune diseases-specific pathogenic T cell subpopulations and they contribute to disease progression and response to therapy
• Possible impact of DNA methylation and histone modifications as well as changes in the expression profile of the transcription factors on T cell frequency, cytokine profile, and the risk of developing and phenotype of autoimmune diseases
• Inflammation-associated (sub)population, gene expression differences and rare subtypes, which may play a role in the rheumatic diseases activity and therapy
• Auto-antigens and TCR signaling involved in the heterogeneity and function of T cells in autoimmune diseases
• Auto-antigens associated with human autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are a complex group of diseases involving many different pathways within the innate and adaptive immune system. A crucial factor in determining immune response outcomes is the heterogeneity and plasticity of T cells, which are extremely heterogeneous with various combinations of surface markers and effector functions. These differences may have significant consequences for the function of the whole-cell population, as well as for health. We know that heterogeneity of CD3+ T cells exists, starting grossly with CD4+ and CD8+ cells, which are engaged in helper and cytotoxic responses, respectively. Although there is significant proof of the involvement of T cells, it has been unclear which T cell subtypes help orchestrate the damaging immune responses that underlie ADs. While it is clear that T cells play a central role in promoting ADs pathology, pinpointing the specific T cell phenotypes and/or functions that are most relevant in these diseases has been challenging. Moreover, the relationship between T cells heterogeneity and inflammation is still poorly understood.
The heterogeneity and plasticity of T cells are critical in determining the immune response. However, the precise relationship between inflammation and T cell heterogeneity and how the function of autoimmune T cells is initiated requires further study. Understanding how T cell subtypes take advantage of cell heterogeneity, plasticity, and diversity to achieve a wide range of functional flexibility, especially during dynamic processes such as development, differentiation, and antigenic response is a major challenge. The interaction between environmental/genetic/epigenetic/immune modifications and the specific function of transcription factors in regulating the immune system and in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases is an essential area of research. It may provide potential therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases and inspire further research in this field. Identifying specific TCR signaling, auto-antigens, transcription factors and networks that are involved in regulating T cell subtypes' balance and delineating their function is of great interest for autoimmune diseases. It is increasingly recognized that genetic profile, dysregulated expression, as well as the methylation status of the transcription factors, are essential in the differentiation, homeostasis, and function of different T cell subsets. The aim of this special issue will be to explore the cellular heterogeneity, lineage, and functional states of T cells as well as their inducing environmental cues involved in the pathogenesis and therapy of the rheumatic diseases.
We welcome authors to submit Original Research, Systematic Review, Review, Mini Review, Perspective and articles focusing on, but not limited to:
• Molecular analysis and functional studies in different autoimmune diseases, as well as in different tissue types, which will supply the mechanistic details necessary to comprehend these processes
• Understanding the possible impact of non-coding RNAs and retrotransposons on T cells frequency and function
• Autoimmune diseases-specific pathogenic T cell subpopulations and they contribute to disease progression and response to therapy
• Possible impact of DNA methylation and histone modifications as well as changes in the expression profile of the transcription factors on T cell frequency, cytokine profile, and the risk of developing and phenotype of autoimmune diseases
• Inflammation-associated (sub)population, gene expression differences and rare subtypes, which may play a role in the rheumatic diseases activity and therapy
• Auto-antigens and TCR signaling involved in the heterogeneity and function of T cells in autoimmune diseases
• Auto-antigens associated with human autoimmune diseases
