The primary cilium is an antenna-like structure of the plasma membrane, which is composed of the basal body, the transition zone, and the axoneme. Primary cilia contain receptors and channels that detect extracellular signals and transduce them into the cells to regulate physiological cellular functions such as proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Although primary cilia are nonmotile, the formation is dynamically regulated depending on the context. Dysregulation of primary cilia can cause various diseases including ciliopathies, complex multisystem developmental disorders, cancer, and obesity.

The mechanisms underlying the formations and functions of primary cilia in physiological and pathophysiological conditions have been extensively investigated. These studies have revealed many aspects of primary cilia, including genes involved in the formation and function of primary cilia, the signal transductions mediated by primary cilia, and the regulatory roles of primary cilia on other cellular components such as endosomes and lipid rafts. These findings suggest that we can consider primary cilia as therapeutic targets. Dysregulation of primary cilia associated with diseases may be treated by genetic and/or pharmacological therapies targeting genes and signal transductions related to the primary cilia. We may change the functions of primary cilia in a specific cell type to modulate other cellular components dysregulated in diseases.

The scope of this Research Topic is to integrate the current knowledge and opinions about primary cilia in relation to the potential as therapeutic targets. We are interested in original research, systematic review, methods, review, mini review, hypothesis and theory, perspective, and brief research reports that fit within the scope of the Research Topic. Areas to be covered in this research topic may include, but are not limited to:

• Novel mechanisms underlying (patho)physiological functions of primary cilia

• Modulation of signal transductions through primary cilia

• Functional links between primary cilia and other cellular components

• Modulation of stem cell differentiation through primary cilia

• Animal models toward the development of novel therapies targeting primary cilia

• Novel tools and methods for analyzing primary cilia

Dr. Wataru Otsu receives funding from Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories Ltd. - all other editors declare no conflicts of interest.

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