About this Research Topic
A decline in naïve T cell pool, constriction of TCR repertoire, and clonal expansion of memory T cells underlie key immunological defects with increasing age. Age-related immunodeficiency and dysfunction in a genetically susceptible individual and exposure to environmental factors lead to increased expansion of homeostatic T cells against autoantigens. Furthermore, declining sex hormone levels, loss of tissue homeostasis, and heightened state of inflammation with age can modulate the adaptive immune responses. These processes may contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), multiple sclerosis, Myasthenia gravis, and giant cell arteritis (GCA) in the average fifth decade of life.
This Research Topic aims to discuss current research identifying the role of environmental factors and host factors such as sex hormones in modulating the immune response in older adults with autoimmune diseases. The increase of age-associated T and B cells contributes to autoimmunity in older adults. Identifying the molecular mechanism for the proliferation of these adaptive immune cells must be crucial for understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. This is necessary for the development of novel small-molecule inhibitors or screening for the repurposing of existing drugs. Adapting newer omics methods at the single-cell level will efficiently improve research on this topic.
Articles discussing the following research areas are invited but not limited to participate in this current research topic
•Role of B-cells in the development of autoimmunity
•Epigenetic changes of immune cells driven sex hormones
•Single cell genomics in identifying homeostatic expansion of age-related T-cells
•Predisposition of genes causes overaction of adaptive immune response in elderly autoimmune women
•Telomerase deficiency in autoimmunity.
•Immunomodulatory effect of aging intervention in autoimmune conditions.
•Therapeutic strategies for autoimmunity in aging adults.
•Inflammatory cells and pathways in aging and autoimmunity.
This Research Topic aims to discuss current research identifying the role of environmental factors and host factors such as sex hormones in modulating the immune response in older adults with autoimmune diseases. The increase of age-associated T and B cells contributes to autoimmunity in older adults. Identifying the molecular mechanism for the proliferation of these adaptive immune cells must be crucial for understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. This is necessary for the development of novel small-molecule inhibitors or screening for the repurposing of existing drugs. Adapting newer omics methods at the single-cell level will efficiently improve research on this topic.
Articles discussing the following research areas are invited but not limited to participate in this current research topic
•Role of B-cells in the development of autoimmunity
•Epigenetic changes of immune cells driven sex hormones
•Single cell genomics in identifying homeostatic expansion of age-related T-cells
•Predisposition of genes causes overaction of adaptive immune response in elderly autoimmune women
•Telomerase deficiency in autoimmunity.
•Immunomodulatory effect of aging intervention in autoimmune conditions.
•Therapeutic strategies for autoimmunity in aging adults.
•Inflammatory cells and pathways in aging and autoimmunity.
Keywords: Immunosenescence, Autoimmune Disease, Sex Hormones, Epigenetics, Single Cell Genomics
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.
