Pediatric immune-mediated diseases are a diverse group of conditions where a child’s immune system incorrectly targets and damages its own tissues, leading to chronic inflammation and other serious health issues. The genetic basis of these diseases is a rapidly expanding area of research, crucial for understanding the mechanisms behind immune dysregulation and developing targeted treatments.

Recent advancements in genomic technologies have allowed scientists to identify specific genetic factors that predispose children to immune-mediated diseases. For instance, variations in genes related to the immune system's function, such as those encoding human leukocyte antigens (HLA), cytokines, and signaling proteins, have been linked to conditions like juvenile idiopathic arthritis, pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, and Type 1 diabetes. These genetic variations can affect how immune cells respond to body tissues, mistakenly treating them as threats.

Understanding the genetics of pediatric immune-mediated diseases not only helps in predicting susceptibility and disease progression but also enhances the potential for personalized medicine. By tailoring treatment based on a child’s unique genetic profile, healthcare providers can optimize therapeutic outcomes, minimize adverse effects, and improve quality of life. Moreover, genetic insights are also paving the way for novel therapies that specifically target the molecular pathways involved in these diseases, offering hope for more effective and less invasive treatment options in the future.

The overarching goal of this Research Topic is to provide a comprehensive, contemporary collection of research focusing on genetics of pediatric immune-mediated diseases. We welcome Original Research Articles, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Perspectives, Commentaries, Data notes, and technical notes, but are not limited to the following:

• Gene Identification: Identifying specific genes that predispose children to immune-mediated diseases.
• Biomarkers: To explore current potential invasive and non-invasive biomarkers to diagnose Immune-Mediated Diseases in infants and children.
• Diagnosis and Prognosis: To assess the long-term prognosis of patients with chronic immune-mediated disease, considering the availability of new treatment options.
• Personalized Medicine: Applying genetic information to predict disease susceptibility, progression in individual patients.
• Therapeutic Target Discovery: Using genetic insights to identify new therapeutic targets, leading to the development of novel treatments that specifically modulate the immune system's response, aiming to treat or even prevent the onset of immune-mediated diseases in children.

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Frontiers in Genetics

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