About this Research Topic
Numerous human viruses such as coronaviruses, influenza viruses, adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, enterovirus 71 and norovirus causing respiratory and/or gastrointestinal tract infections pose serious threats to public health. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has led to 248 million cases and over 5 million deaths. It has also been estimated that the annual mortality burden of influenza to be 250,000 to 500,000 all-cause deaths globally. Unravel mechanism of host-viral interaction holds the key to developing prophylactic and therapeutic drugs. Indeed, the interaction with the host accounts for the regulations of viral replication and host immune responses. To fully adapt to human beings, cross-species viruses gain adaptive mutations, which take advantage of host cell machinery more efficiently or contribute to immune evasion. The host has various approaches to antagonize viral infection. The first line of host defense is innate immunity, which is the prerequisite for initiating adaptive immune responses. Additionally, programmed cell death and inflammasome, the critical components of innate immunity, are crucial for clearing the infected cells and mounting adaptive immunity. However, viruses have evolved to manipulate these innate pathways. In summary, host-viral interaction could provide prospective insights that are critical for therapeutics development.
In general, the goal of this Research Topic is to advance the knowledge of the interaction between host and viruses causing respiratory and/or gastrointestinal tract infections in humans including but not limited to coronaviruses (especially SARS-CoV-2), influenza viruses, adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, enterovirus 71 and norovirus. Specifically, we would like:
(1) to identify gain-of-function mutations in the viral genome that play a role in human adaptations during cross-species infection and to understand their biological functions,
(2) to understand the mechanisms underlying host sensing and signaling against virus invasion,
(3) to understand the mechanisms by which viruses evade from host immunity,
(4) to unveil details on what types of programmed cell death and inflammasome are activated and how they are activated during the virus infection,
(5) to investigate pathogenic mechanisms of the virus infections to promote the development of therapeutic drugs and broad-spectrum prophylactic vaccines.
We encourage the research community to submit manuscripts on various molecular techniques including but not limited to reverse genetics screening, CRISPR screening, multi-omics, and virus infection study in cells/organoids in vitro models as well as animal models.
In general, the goal of this Research Topic is to advance the knowledge of the interaction between host and viruses causing respiratory and/or gastrointestinal tract infections in humans including but not limited to coronaviruses (especially SARS-CoV-2), influenza viruses, adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, enterovirus 71 and norovirus. Specifically, we would like:
(1) to identify gain-of-function mutations in the viral genome that play a role in human adaptations during cross-species infection and to understand their biological functions,
(2) to understand the mechanisms underlying host sensing and signaling against virus invasion,
(3) to understand the mechanisms by which viruses evade from host immunity,
(4) to unveil details on what types of programmed cell death and inflammasome are activated and how they are activated during the virus infection,
(5) to investigate pathogenic mechanisms of the virus infections to promote the development of therapeutic drugs and broad-spectrum prophylactic vaccines.
We encourage the research community to submit manuscripts on various molecular techniques including but not limited to reverse genetics screening, CRISPR screening, multi-omics, and virus infection study in cells/organoids in vitro models as well as animal models.
Keywords: Innate immunity, inflammasome, host responses, cell death, vaccines, host adaptations, respiratory or gastrointestinal tract infections
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.
