About this Research Topic
Mucosal barriers, such as the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, urinary tract, and oral mucous membranes, play crucial roles in protecting human and animal health from pathogen invasion. Numerous studies have demonstrated that natural compounds derived from plants, animals, and microbes can exert various biological effects on mucosal barriers, such as enhancing immune activity and preventing damage. Increasingly, researchers are recognizing the interactions between microbial flora and mucosal barriers, as well as the role of natural compounds in maintaining microbial balance and enhancing intestinal mucosal immunity. For instance, natural compounds such as polysaccharides, alkaloids, and triterpenoid saponins have been shown to boost immune cells within mucosal barriers, including macrophages and dendritic cells, through pathways like TLRs/NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, and JAK-STAT. Additionally, omics technologies and gene sequencing methods are increasingly employed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of natural compounds on mucosal cells, barriers, and microbial flora.
The goal of this Research Topic is to provide a platform for outstanding research on the effects of natural compounds on immune responses and diseases affecting mucosal barriers, such as enhancing immune function or alleviating inflammation in the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urinary tracts. Furthermore, studies exploring the interactions between microbial flora and mucosal barriers in response to natural compounds are also encouraged.
Researchers are invited to submit studies focusing on the pharmacological effects of natural compounds on mucosal immunity in both humans and animals, using modern pharmacological approaches, multi-omics technologies, gene sequencing techniques, and molecular biological methods. These natural compounds may include extracts from medicinal herbs, animals, and minerals, traditional Chinese medicine formulations, as well as specific components such as polysaccharides, alkaloids, amino acids, and short-chain fatty acids. The primary active compounds in these extracts should be clearly identified. The targeted diseases should involve immune-related conditions or disorders affecting mucosal barriers, such as inflammatory bowel disease or inflammation of the respiratory, urinary, vaginal, and oral mucous membranes. Studies investigating the modulatory effects of natural compounds on the microbial flora of mucosal barriers are also welcome. We strongly recommend that authors employ modern pharmacological methods (e.g., H&E staining, ELISA), multi-omics techniques (e.g., metabolomics, proteomics, transcriptomics), gene sequencing, and molecular biological methods such as qRT-PCR and Western blotting.
The goal of this Research Topic is to provide a platform for outstanding research on the effects of natural compounds on immune responses and diseases affecting mucosal barriers, such as enhancing immune function or alleviating inflammation in the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urinary tracts. Furthermore, studies exploring the interactions between microbial flora and mucosal barriers in response to natural compounds are also encouraged.
Researchers are invited to submit studies focusing on the pharmacological effects of natural compounds on mucosal immunity in both humans and animals, using modern pharmacological approaches, multi-omics technologies, gene sequencing techniques, and molecular biological methods. These natural compounds may include extracts from medicinal herbs, animals, and minerals, traditional Chinese medicine formulations, as well as specific components such as polysaccharides, alkaloids, amino acids, and short-chain fatty acids. The primary active compounds in these extracts should be clearly identified. The targeted diseases should involve immune-related conditions or disorders affecting mucosal barriers, such as inflammatory bowel disease or inflammation of the respiratory, urinary, vaginal, and oral mucous membranes. Studies investigating the modulatory effects of natural compounds on the microbial flora of mucosal barriers are also welcome. We strongly recommend that authors employ modern pharmacological methods (e.g., H&E staining, ELISA), multi-omics techniques (e.g., metabolomics, proteomics, transcriptomics), gene sequencing, and molecular biological methods such as qRT-PCR and Western blotting.
Keywords: Mucosal Barriers, Immune Modulation, Microbial Flora, Omics Technologies
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