About this Research Topic

Background

The innate immune system serves as a crucial line of defense by detecting microbial threats and orchestrating the initial immune response against invading pathogens. Key to this defense is innate immune receptors, including significant pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) like STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes), MAVS (Mitochondrial Antiviral Signaling), and TLRs (Toll-like receptors). Remarkably, these receptors are strategically localized within membranous organelles, such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), endo-lysosomes, and mitochondria. Precise regulation of these receptors within organelles is crucial for initiating and shaping the overall immune response. Dysregulated signaling of STING, MAVS, and TLRs plays crucial roles in the pathogenic processes of various diseases, including infection, autoimmunity, aging, and cancer.

The upcoming Research Topic of "Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences" delves into the intricate world of innate immune receptors housed within membranous organelles, with a focus on their modification, trafficking, and regulation. This collection aims to unravel the intricacies of how the membrane-located immune receptors undergo dynamic alterations, navigate cellular compartments, and are finely tuned to orchestrate appropriate immune responses while maintaining homeostasis.

One key aspect of this Research Topic is the post-translational modification of innate immune receptors within organelles. Understanding the intricate landscape of phosphorylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, lipidation, and other modifications is essential for unraveling the molecular mechanisms that dictate receptor abundance, location, protein interaction, and activity. Contributions exploring the role of modifications in modulating these receptors at the resting stage as well as under ligand challenge will be welcomed.

Innate immune receptors, such as STING and endosomal TLRs, are initially synthesized in the ER but require transport to post-ER compartments to facilitate both activation and deactivation processes. Exploring the trafficking of these innate immune receptors within membranous organelles will provide critical insights into their spatial-temporal regulation. Articles investigating molecular machinery involved in regulating organelle residency, routes of intracellular trafficking of these receptors, and addressing the relationship of trafficking with activities of these receptors will be welcomed for submission to this special collection.

Furthermore, this topic will feature in-depth studies on additional regulatory mechanisms governing innate immune receptors. This will include a focus on the intricate interplay between these receptors and organelle quality control pathways, metabolic regulation pathways, and the influence of organelle stress on their functionality. Gaining insights into the cross-talk between signaling cascades closely linked to membranous organelles and the activities of immune receptors will be pivotal for deciphering the overall immune function and cellular response under immune response and various immune disorders.

Experts from various fields are invited to contribute groundbreaking research to our special issue. We aim to create a platform for in-depth exploration of the molecular complexities governing the modification, trafficking, and regulation of innate immune receptors in membranous organelles. This collaborative effort seeks to advance our understanding of innate immunity, fostering innovative therapeutic breakthroughs in diseases like infection, cancer, autoimmunity, and degeneration.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• ... View all formats

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: STING, MAVS, TLRs, membranous organelles, innate immunity

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.

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