Pathogenesis and Targeted Therapy of Autoimmune Diseases

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 628

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
Interests: autoimmune rheumatologic diseases; molecular mechanisms and treatment approach; applied immunological basic research
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are chronic conditions that affect multiple organs and vary in clinical presentation and disease severity. ADs affect a wide range of people in many parts of the world and have become a major concern in public health.

The development of ADs is intricate, encompassing dysregulation within the immune system, a collapse of immunological tolerance, genetic susceptibilities to the disease, and various environmental factors that can act as triggers.

Traditional treatment strategies for ADs have mainly employed non-specific approaches, including cytotoxic and immunosuppressive drugs. These strategies effectively mitigate the disease's effects, but they are not a complete cure and are often accompanied by adverse reactions. Emerging targeted therapeutic drugs, on the other hand, aim to control and treat ADs by targeting B and T cells or components of the innate immune system, thus inhibiting their activation and function, as well as the abnormal activation of the immune system. A deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of ADs and the exploration of new targeted treatment strategies are essential to advance the treatment of this wide range of complex diseases.

Currently, research in ADs is making continual progress from the perspective of precision medicine, tailored to the patient.

The topic of this Special Issue of Biomedicines, entitled “Pathogenesis and Targeted Therapy of Autoimmune Diseases”, is focused on the novelty in the pathogenesis or treatment of these pathological conditions based on the most recent scientific discoveries. Researchers are invited to contribute with original works and comprehensive reviews focusing on the above.

Dr. Marcella Prete
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • autoimmune diseases
  • pathogenesis
  • targeted therapy

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

16 pages, 2359 KB  
Review
Exploring Genital Lichen Sclerosus: Navigating from Pathophysiology to Precise Diagnostic Approaches
by Maja Sever, Katarina Trčko, Tanja Zidarič and Tina Maver
Biomedicines 2025, 13(9), 2252; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13092252 - 12 Sep 2025
Viewed by 441
Abstract
Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic, relapsing skin disease that predominantly affects the perineal and genital regions, although extragenital manifestations can occur. Despite its significant impact on patients’ quality of life, particularly affecting sexual and urinary function, LS remains underdiagnosed. Multiple factors, including [...] Read more.
Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic, relapsing skin disease that predominantly affects the perineal and genital regions, although extragenital manifestations can occur. Despite its significant impact on patients’ quality of life, particularly affecting sexual and urinary function, LS remains underdiagnosed. Multiple factors, including genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, immunological abnormalities, trauma, and urine irritation, contribute to its development and persistence. This review aims to clarify the complex pathophysiology of LS by exploring three main mechanisms: autoimmune dysregulation, sclerotic tissue formation, and oxidative stress. Autoimmune dysregulation involves T-cell infiltration and the roles of miR-155 and extracellular matrix protein 1 dysfunction, leading to chronic inflammation. miR-155 contributes to sclerotic tissue formation alongside galectin-7, promoting fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis. Oxidative stress results in tissue damage, autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, and an increased risk of carcinogenesis. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted therapies and improving LS management. Further research is needed to unravel the genetic basis, immune responses, and interactions between key mediators, ultimately advancing innovative therapeutic strategies and precision medicine in LS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Targeted Therapy of Autoimmune Diseases)
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