About this Research Topic
The immune system, one of the body's most complex biological systems, has a fundamental role in protecting the host from infection and disease. However, a strong immune response is a double-edged sword. An overactive immune system triggered by environmental factors and heterogeneous genetic background would break the immune balance, and further eventually lead to the onset of autoimmune diseases. Yet, despite tremendous advances in understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of autoimmune diseases, the cause and a complete cure remain obscure.
It is already shown that not all immune cells have immuno-protection. T cells, as the core immune cells that mediate adaptive cellular immune response in patients with autoimmune diseases, show more pathogenic compared to that in normal individuals although the origins of that are unknown. Various overactivated T cell subpopulations like Th1, Th2, Th17, etc. can express different cell phenotypes and play pathogenic roles in autoimmune diseases, which may be the potential cause of poor therapeutic outcomes for certain patients. Therefore, exploring the exact reasons why such T cells become more pathogenic and targeting pathogenic T cells rather than all T cells, maybe more helpful in both treating and preventing autoimmune diseases from progressing.
The main goal of this Research Topic is to explore the knowledge regarding the origins, phenotypic characteristics, pathogenic mechanisms, and diagnostic value of pathogenic T cells in autoimmune diseases. Anyone T cell subtype which has pathogenic effects or identification of novel T cell phenotypes will be welcomed. In addition, we also welcome the research contents on the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies targeting the pathogenic T cells in autoimmune diseases.
The bullet points of the Research Topic “Pathogenic Roles of T Cells in Autoimmunity” may include, but are not limited to:
• Phenotypic, functional characterization, and gene expression features of pathogenic T cells;
• Origins of pathogenic T cells and the factors involved in their recruitment and differentiation;
• Pathogenic capabilities of pathogenic T cells in autoimmune diseases;
• Therapeutic strategies for targeting the pathogenicity of T cells in autoimmune disease treatment;
• Diagnostic value of pathogenic T cells in autoimmune diseases.
It is already shown that not all immune cells have immuno-protection. T cells, as the core immune cells that mediate adaptive cellular immune response in patients with autoimmune diseases, show more pathogenic compared to that in normal individuals although the origins of that are unknown. Various overactivated T cell subpopulations like Th1, Th2, Th17, etc. can express different cell phenotypes and play pathogenic roles in autoimmune diseases, which may be the potential cause of poor therapeutic outcomes for certain patients. Therefore, exploring the exact reasons why such T cells become more pathogenic and targeting pathogenic T cells rather than all T cells, maybe more helpful in both treating and preventing autoimmune diseases from progressing.
The main goal of this Research Topic is to explore the knowledge regarding the origins, phenotypic characteristics, pathogenic mechanisms, and diagnostic value of pathogenic T cells in autoimmune diseases. Anyone T cell subtype which has pathogenic effects or identification of novel T cell phenotypes will be welcomed. In addition, we also welcome the research contents on the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies targeting the pathogenic T cells in autoimmune diseases.
The bullet points of the Research Topic “Pathogenic Roles of T Cells in Autoimmunity” may include, but are not limited to:
• Phenotypic, functional characterization, and gene expression features of pathogenic T cells;
• Origins of pathogenic T cells and the factors involved in their recruitment and differentiation;
• Pathogenic capabilities of pathogenic T cells in autoimmune diseases;
• Therapeutic strategies for targeting the pathogenicity of T cells in autoimmune disease treatment;
• Diagnostic value of pathogenic T cells in autoimmune diseases.
Keywords: Pathogenic Role, T Cell, Autoimmunity
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.
