About this Research Topic
The regulatory pathways governing T cell behavior are multifaceted, involving a plethora of signals that dictate their development, differentiation, and effector functions. In the context of tumor immunology, these pathways determine the efficacy of T cells in recognizing and eliminating cancer cells. However, tumors evolve sophisticated mechanisms to evade immune surveillance, often by manipulating T cell regulatory circuits to create an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Unraveling these complex interactions offers the promise of harnessing T cells' full therapeutic potential, paving the way for next-generation cancer immunotherapies that can overcome tumor resistance.
Conversely, in organ transplantation, the ability of T cells to mediate graft rejection poses a significant challenge. The delicate balance of promoting tolerance while maintaining the ability to fight infections and malignancies necessitates a deep understanding of the regulatory mechanisms at play. This Research Topic aims to explore how insights into T cell regulation can inform strategies to induce specific tolerance, reducing the need for lifelong immunosuppression and its associated complications.
This Research Topic will bring together leading researchers to contribute their insights on the latest advancements in T cell biology, from the molecular underpinnings of regulatory pathways to translational studies that bridge the gap between bench and bedside. We anticipate this collection will not only enhance our understanding of T cell regulation in health and disease but also inspire innovative approaches to manipulate these cells for therapeutic benefit in cancer and organ transplantation.
We invite contributions that offer deep insights into the regulatory mechanisms of T cells, including but not limited to:
• Novel regulatory pathways influencing T cell differentiation, activation, and suppression in the context of cancer and transplantation.
• The role of epigenetic and post-transcriptional modifications in T cell functionality and how these can be harnessed for therapeutic purposes.
• Advances in biotechnological and computational tools for studying T cell regulation, including CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and single-cell sequencing technologies.
• Clinical studies highlighting the impact of modulating T cell activity on tumor response and transplant acceptance.
Submissions are encouraged from a diverse array of research designs, including:
• Original research articles presenting new findings on the molecular mechanisms of T cell regulation.
• Reviews summarizing recent advances in T cell biology relevant to cancer immunotherapy and organ transplantation.
• Methodological papers introducing novel tools or analytical approaches for studying T cell behavior.
• Perspective and opinion pieces discussing future directions or challenges in the field.
Keywords: T cell regulation, tumor immunology, organ transplantation, therapeutic strategies, molecular mechanisms
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.