About this Research Topic
Viral infections have a major impact on human history, as several diseases caused by viruses have been, and continue to be, responsible for significant epidemics (such as smallpox, HIV/AIDS and more recently, COVID-19 and monkeypox). The development of serious and debilitating chronic diseases such as the syndromes caused by HIV-1, HTLV-1, HBV and HCV are yet to be fully elucidated. Several mechanisms act to combat viruses, promoting control and limiting viral infection. The evolution of infections to severe disease is influenced by the expression of certain virulence components or by the varied expression of the host's immune response. Dysregulation of the immune response can promote an ineffective antiviral response or an exacerbated inflammatory response, inducing the development of acute diseases with high mortality or the persistence of viruses in the host, responsible for chronic diseases. Genetic variations that occur in viral and host genomes can trigger changes in the immune response and may determine a favorable or worse prognosis during viral infections. Some viruses have high mutation rates and are able to successfully evade the immune response. Genetic changes in important molecules of the host's immune response can influence the intensity of the antiviral and inflammatory response and, ultimately impact on the susceptibility to viruses and on the manifestation of symptoms. The response to infections differs between individuals, resulting in infections with different intensities, ranging from asymptomatic to severe and fatal. A better understanding of genetic and molecular variations that can be characterized as markers of viral infection evolution and disease progression will contribute to the development of more effective strategies for controlling and treating human viral infections.
Many viruses present mutations that promote the escape of the host's immune response, such as HIV-1, HCV, HBV, HTLV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, contributing to their persistence. Immune dysregulation may contribute to the pathogenesis of viral infections leading to the development of serious clinical manifestations. Genetic polymorphisms in coding sequences of key components of the immunological and inflammatory response are important factors that can promote an imbalance in infection control and the generation of the disease. Some variations in immune response genes, such as TLRs and CCR5, have been associated with plague and smallpox pandemics, respectively. Mutations in TLR3 pathway genes may impair the innate immune response against HSV-1 and increase susceptibility to herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE). The HLA-B*14:02 and HLA-C*08:02 alleles were associated with a lower risk of developing COVID-19, suggesting that these alleles may promote more effective presentation of viral peptides and faster clearance of infection, decreasing susceptibility and severity of COVID-19. This research topic focuses on studies that seek to identify genetic and molecular markers that can serve as correlates of protection as well as prognostic biomarkers to monitor viral infections in humans. The objective is to identify (i) variations in virus genes that may contribute to better adaptation or persistence in the host, (ii) deregulation of immunity molecules involved in the progression of infection and, (iii) genetic polymorphisms in components that govern the immune response and inflammatory associated with susceptibility to infection and the development of disease.
We welcome original research articles, methods, reviews, mini-reviews and case studies on the following subtopics:
- Identification of evolutionary changes in viral species that infect humans;
- Identification of viral factors and mechanisms involved in modulating the antiviral immune response against viruses that infect humans;
- Identification of molecular changes in immunity components involved in the progression of human viral infections;
- Identification of genetic polymorphisms in components of immunity that may influence susceptibility to human viral infections and the development of diseases.
Many viruses present mutations that promote the escape of the host's immune response, such as HIV-1, HCV, HBV, HTLV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, contributing to their persistence. Immune dysregulation may contribute to the pathogenesis of viral infections leading to the development of serious clinical manifestations. Genetic polymorphisms in coding sequences of key components of the immunological and inflammatory response are important factors that can promote an imbalance in infection control and the generation of the disease. Some variations in immune response genes, such as TLRs and CCR5, have been associated with plague and smallpox pandemics, respectively. Mutations in TLR3 pathway genes may impair the innate immune response against HSV-1 and increase susceptibility to herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE). The HLA-B*14:02 and HLA-C*08:02 alleles were associated with a lower risk of developing COVID-19, suggesting that these alleles may promote more effective presentation of viral peptides and faster clearance of infection, decreasing susceptibility and severity of COVID-19. This research topic focuses on studies that seek to identify genetic and molecular markers that can serve as correlates of protection as well as prognostic biomarkers to monitor viral infections in humans. The objective is to identify (i) variations in virus genes that may contribute to better adaptation or persistence in the host, (ii) deregulation of immunity molecules involved in the progression of infection and, (iii) genetic polymorphisms in components that govern the immune response and inflammatory associated with susceptibility to infection and the development of disease.
We welcome original research articles, methods, reviews, mini-reviews and case studies on the following subtopics:
- Identification of evolutionary changes in viral species that infect humans;
- Identification of viral factors and mechanisms involved in modulating the antiviral immune response against viruses that infect humans;
- Identification of molecular changes in immunity components involved in the progression of human viral infections;
- Identification of genetic polymorphisms in components of immunity that may influence susceptibility to human viral infections and the development of diseases.
Keywords: Human viral infections, genetics, immunity, virulence
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.
