About this Research Topic
This Research Topic is the second volume of the “Emerging Insights in Controlling Autoimmunity” Community Series. Please see Volume I here
Autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases evolve when mechanisms of self-tolerance fail, allowing the expansion of auto-reactive B and T lymphocytes, and the continuous secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. For many years our main attention was directed towards a better understanding of the complexity of both humoral and cellular responses in autoimmunity. Specifically, the role of autoantibodies, and Th1\Th17 or Th2 related pro-inflammatory cytokines in different autoimmune diseases. This was subsequently followed by the development of anti-inflammatory therapies, largely aimed at blocking these cytokines with relevant monoclonal antibodies. Without neglecting the role of pro-inflammatory responses in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, there has recently been an increased focus on assessing the importance of the regulatory system, the main function of which is to maintain self-tolerance and prevent the development of autoimmune diseases.
Initially, T regulatory cells (Tregs, comprising 10% of all CD4+ T cells) were considered to be the only regulatory cells, the role of which is to prevent the expansion of auto-reactive T and B lymphocytes, natural killer cells and dendritic cells. This is achieved by the ability of these cells, upon specific activation, to secrete inhibitory cytokines, such as IL-10, TGF-β and IL-35. The expression of the inhibitory molecule, CTLA-4, on Tregs allows a cell-to-cell way of regulation, by down-regulating co-stimulatory molecules on effector T lymphocytes and dendritic cells. More recently, B regulatory cells (Bregs) have also been indicated as an important feature of regulatory mechanisms. Bregs have no specific transcription factor (such as FoxP3) or specific membrane molecules identified. However, they do secrete inhibitory cytokines such as IL-10 and IL-35 in a specific antigen-dependent way and they also secrete blocking IgG4 (which plays a role in preventing allergic diseases). Additional regulatory molecules, such as semaphorin3A, have also been implicated in maintaining self-tolerance and as therapeutic candidates for the prevention of lupus nephritis and bronchial asthma.
In this Research Topic, we call for all articles - including studies on animal models - that are related to the role of regulatory cells/molecules, in different autoimmune diseases and their possible role in the treatment of these diseases. This includes, but is not limited to:
• New insights on the role of T and B regulatory cells in controlling autoimmunity and immune-mediated autoimmune phenomena
• New insights on the role of the imbalance of proinflammatory (i.e. Th17 or Il-17 expressing) cells and regulatory (i.e. Tregs and Bregs) in inducing autoimmunity
• Studies in the functional and numerical impairment of regulatory and suppressor cell subsets in autoimmune diseases
• Clinical and experimental studies in cell to cell interaction involving cells and cytokines involved in the regulation of autoreactive immune responses
• New insights on pathogen-host interactions interrupting the regulation of autoimmunity
• Innovations in the understanding of how host restores self-tolerance and prevents inflammatory processes
• Better understanding of how new or conventional drugs restore or mediate regulation
• The role of regulatory cell in preventing autoimmunity
• Insights on regulatory cell immunotherapy
• The role of cytokines involved in controlling or exacerbating autoimmunity
The Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.
Autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases evolve when mechanisms of self-tolerance fail, allowing the expansion of auto-reactive B and T lymphocytes, and the continuous secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. For many years our main attention was directed towards a better understanding of the complexity of both humoral and cellular responses in autoimmunity. Specifically, the role of autoantibodies, and Th1\Th17 or Th2 related pro-inflammatory cytokines in different autoimmune diseases. This was subsequently followed by the development of anti-inflammatory therapies, largely aimed at blocking these cytokines with relevant monoclonal antibodies. Without neglecting the role of pro-inflammatory responses in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, there has recently been an increased focus on assessing the importance of the regulatory system, the main function of which is to maintain self-tolerance and prevent the development of autoimmune diseases.
Initially, T regulatory cells (Tregs, comprising 10% of all CD4+ T cells) were considered to be the only regulatory cells, the role of which is to prevent the expansion of auto-reactive T and B lymphocytes, natural killer cells and dendritic cells. This is achieved by the ability of these cells, upon specific activation, to secrete inhibitory cytokines, such as IL-10, TGF-β and IL-35. The expression of the inhibitory molecule, CTLA-4, on Tregs allows a cell-to-cell way of regulation, by down-regulating co-stimulatory molecules on effector T lymphocytes and dendritic cells. More recently, B regulatory cells (Bregs) have also been indicated as an important feature of regulatory mechanisms. Bregs have no specific transcription factor (such as FoxP3) or specific membrane molecules identified. However, they do secrete inhibitory cytokines such as IL-10 and IL-35 in a specific antigen-dependent way and they also secrete blocking IgG4 (which plays a role in preventing allergic diseases). Additional regulatory molecules, such as semaphorin3A, have also been implicated in maintaining self-tolerance and as therapeutic candidates for the prevention of lupus nephritis and bronchial asthma.
In this Research Topic, we call for all articles - including studies on animal models - that are related to the role of regulatory cells/molecules, in different autoimmune diseases and their possible role in the treatment of these diseases. This includes, but is not limited to:
• New insights on the role of T and B regulatory cells in controlling autoimmunity and immune-mediated autoimmune phenomena
• New insights on the role of the imbalance of proinflammatory (i.e. Th17 or Il-17 expressing) cells and regulatory (i.e. Tregs and Bregs) in inducing autoimmunity
• Studies in the functional and numerical impairment of regulatory and suppressor cell subsets in autoimmune diseases
• Clinical and experimental studies in cell to cell interaction involving cells and cytokines involved in the regulation of autoreactive immune responses
• New insights on pathogen-host interactions interrupting the regulation of autoimmunity
• Innovations in the understanding of how host restores self-tolerance and prevents inflammatory processes
• Better understanding of how new or conventional drugs restore or mediate regulation
• The role of regulatory cell in preventing autoimmunity
• Insights on regulatory cell immunotherapy
• The role of cytokines involved in controlling or exacerbating autoimmunity
The Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.
Keywords: Controlling autoimmunity, regulatory molecules, inhibitory cytokines, IL-23, IL-17
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