The mammalian male reproductive system possesses immunoprivileged organs essential for the protection of immunogenic male germ cells from detrimental immune response, which also provides the sanctuaries for viruses to escape from immune surveillance. To overcome the immunoprivileged status and mount an effective antiviral ability, tissue-specific cells in the male genital tract are well equipped with innate antiviral mechanisms. However, various viruses, such as HIV-1, hepatitis viruses, mumps virus, ZIKV, and SARS-CoV-2, may infect the male genital tract and persist for an elongated duration. Therefore, the male genital tract can serve as a viral reservoir that may impair male fertility. In particular, the viruses in the male genital tract may be shed into semen and are sexually transmitted. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the immune privilege, viral sanctuary, innate antiviral response, compartmentalization of viruses in the male genital tract, and the sexual transmission of viruses can aid in the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for the viral reservoir, related diseases, and sexual spread of viruses.
This Research Topic provides a forum to discuss the testicular immune barrier, local antiviral mechanism, viral compartmentalization in the male genital tract, and sexual transmission of viruses in the attempt to achieve a beneficial impact on the prevention and treatment of viral diseases in the male genital tract and the sexual transmission of viruses.
We welcome Reviews and original articles focusing on the following subtopics in this Research Topic:
1. Testicular immune privilege and testis-blood barrier.
2. Viral infection and antiviral response in the male genital tract.
3. Viral reservoir and compartmentalization in the male reproductive system.
4. Viral pathogenesis and its adverse impact on male fertility.
5. Effect of semen on sexual transmission of viruses.
The mammalian male reproductive system possesses immunoprivileged organs essential for the protection of immunogenic male germ cells from detrimental immune response, which also provides the sanctuaries for viruses to escape from immune surveillance. To overcome the immunoprivileged status and mount an effective antiviral ability, tissue-specific cells in the male genital tract are well equipped with innate antiviral mechanisms. However, various viruses, such as HIV-1, hepatitis viruses, mumps virus, ZIKV, and SARS-CoV-2, may infect the male genital tract and persist for an elongated duration. Therefore, the male genital tract can serve as a viral reservoir that may impair male fertility. In particular, the viruses in the male genital tract may be shed into semen and are sexually transmitted. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the immune privilege, viral sanctuary, innate antiviral response, compartmentalization of viruses in the male genital tract, and the sexual transmission of viruses can aid in the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for the viral reservoir, related diseases, and sexual spread of viruses.
This Research Topic provides a forum to discuss the testicular immune barrier, local antiviral mechanism, viral compartmentalization in the male genital tract, and sexual transmission of viruses in the attempt to achieve a beneficial impact on the prevention and treatment of viral diseases in the male genital tract and the sexual transmission of viruses.
We welcome Reviews and original articles focusing on the following subtopics in this Research Topic:
1. Testicular immune privilege and testis-blood barrier.
2. Viral infection and antiviral response in the male genital tract.
3. Viral reservoir and compartmentalization in the male reproductive system.
4. Viral pathogenesis and its adverse impact on male fertility.
5. Effect of semen on sexual transmission of viruses.
