TRAF Proteins in Health and Disease

Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) associated factors (TRAFs) are a family of signaling adaptors first identified as components of TNFR signaling complexes. TRAFs are now recognized to influence signal transduction downstream of a diverse array of receptors including (i) TNFR superfamily members, (ii) antigen receptors, (iii) Toll-like receptors and (iv) cytokine receptors. Additionally, TRAFs perform important regulatory roles as cytoplasmic and – in some cases – nuclear proteins. In recent years, it has become clear that TRAF proteins can function as both positive and negative regulators of cell signaling, depending on the context. Structural analysis of TRAF protein interactions is beginning to unravel some of the details of TRAF protein interactions with other signaling components. TRAF proteins have been implicated in a myriad of human conditions, including inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, metabolic diseases and anti-viral immunity. Moreover, polymorphisms and mutations in TRAF genes have been implicated in affecting the severity of such diseases.

This Research Topic will provide a comprehensive overview of TRAF biochemistry, TRAF immuno-biology and the implications of TRAF deregulation in inflammation and immunity. We welcome the submission of Reviews, Mini-Review, Original Research, Perspective, Brief Report and Commentary articles that address the following areas:

1. Structural analysis of TRAF protein–protein interactions.
2. TRAF regulation of NF-kB and MAPK pathways.
3. TRAF regulation of TNFR family signaling.
4. TRAF regulation of innate receptor signaling (TLR, NLR or Inflammasome).
5. TRAF regulation of cytokine signaling.
6. Role of TRAFs in B lymphocyte biology.
7. Role of TRAFs in T lymphocyte biology.
8. TRAF proteins and viral infection.
9. TRAF proteins and cancer.
10. TRAF proteins in metabolic disease.
11. TRAF polymorphisms or mutations in human disease.
12. Therapeutic potential of the TRAF signaling pathway.