About this Research Topic
During the last decades, the critical roles of B cells have been shown in different autoimmune and autoinflammatory skin diseases. B cells could either directly cause the production of pathogenic antibodies or indirectly promote inflammatory responses. Accordingly, different approaches have been suggested to target such signaling pathways which are leading to B cells maturation, differentiation, and antibody production. Among them, anti-CD20, such as rituximab, is effective to induce remission in many of these diseases. Moreover, evaluation of targeting other B cell markers, such as CD19 is ongoing, with promising results. In addition to the direct depletion of B cells, targeting of stimulatory cytokines, such as BAFF (B cell activating factor), interleukin (IL)-4/13, and downstream signaling pathways, such as Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) have attracted great attention in the last years.
The goal of this research topic is to improve the understanding of the direct role of B cells and other signaling pathways that are involved in the differentiation and activation of B cells, characterizing B cell subpopulations in patients, and evaluating the efficacy of currently available and emerging anti-B cell therapeutics along mechanisms of action are other goals of this special issue. There are different research gaps, include but not limited to:
● Downstream signaling pathways in activation of pathogenic B cells.
● Efficacy of novel anti-B cells therapeutics in autoimmune and autoinflammatory with cutaneous
or mucosal manifestations.
● Short-term and long term safety profiles of such treatments.
● Introduction of innovative treatments, and specifically against the pathogenic B cells.
● Potential therapeutic roles of regulatory B cells
We encourage the submission of human randomized trials and cohort studies, in vitro and in vivo studies for understanding the mechanism of action and testing innovative treatments as well as in-depth study of rare cases. Narrative and systematic review articles will also be considered. Studies on patients and animal models related to any autoimmune or autoinflammatory skin diseases or even diseases with skin manifestation (such as vasculitis) in order to clarify the roles of B cells and potential therapeutic approaches are in our scope.
Some of the most important diseases which could be covered in this issue include pemphigus, pemphigoid, cutaneous lupus, Behcet's disease, morphea, dermatomyositis, dermatitis herpetiformis, lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata, vitiligo, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, atopic dermatitis, and urticaria.
The goal of this research topic is to improve the understanding of the direct role of B cells and other signaling pathways that are involved in the differentiation and activation of B cells, characterizing B cell subpopulations in patients, and evaluating the efficacy of currently available and emerging anti-B cell therapeutics along mechanisms of action are other goals of this special issue. There are different research gaps, include but not limited to:
● Downstream signaling pathways in activation of pathogenic B cells.
● Efficacy of novel anti-B cells therapeutics in autoimmune and autoinflammatory with cutaneous
or mucosal manifestations.
● Short-term and long term safety profiles of such treatments.
● Introduction of innovative treatments, and specifically against the pathogenic B cells.
● Potential therapeutic roles of regulatory B cells
We encourage the submission of human randomized trials and cohort studies, in vitro and in vivo studies for understanding the mechanism of action and testing innovative treatments as well as in-depth study of rare cases. Narrative and systematic review articles will also be considered. Studies on patients and animal models related to any autoimmune or autoinflammatory skin diseases or even diseases with skin manifestation (such as vasculitis) in order to clarify the roles of B cells and potential therapeutic approaches are in our scope.
Some of the most important diseases which could be covered in this issue include pemphigus, pemphigoid, cutaneous lupus, Behcet's disease, morphea, dermatomyositis, dermatitis herpetiformis, lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata, vitiligo, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, atopic dermatitis, and urticaria.
Keywords: Autoimmune skin disease, B cells, pemphigus, lupus, rituximab, Brutons tyrosine kinase
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.
