The role of bats and their immune system in structuring host–pathogen interactions

Bats have been increasingly identified as hosts for zoonotic pathogens, including but not limited to viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. With few exceptions, such pathogens seemingly have a little pathogenic impact on bats themselves. Such tolerance of these pathogens has likely been driven by distinct aspects of the vertebrate immune system that evolved alongside the unique ability of bats among mammals to fly, alongside the exceptional longevity of this mammal order. Work-to-date suggests mechanisms of tolerance strategies in bats could include constitutive expression of interferons, robust complement proteins, diverse immunoglobulin genes, and a dampened inflammatory response. Yet such findings remain largely restricted to a small set of bat–pathogen interactions representing a minor pool of global bat diversity (>1400 species). Accordingly, the mechanisms by which bats tolerate virulent pathogens (and whether such patterns hold across both bat and pathogen taxa) remain poorly understood.

The gaps in our understanding of bat–pathogen interactions have been exacerbated by limited integration among field studies of the bat immune response to infection, in vitro and in vivo experimental tests, and modeling frameworks that cross scales of biological organization.

In this Research Topic, we invite manuscripts to explore the diversity of bat–pathogen interactions and encourage opportunities to link different approaches and perspectives to bat immune systems.

Original research articles, reviews, and perspective pieces are all welcome. At the same time, we encourage manuscripts:

• To take a critical lens to language regarding bats and emerging zoonotic diseases.
• We also welcome contributions that consider the interplay between the study of bat immunology, conservation, and disease risks.