Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Autoimmune Diseases
A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 176
Special Issue Editor
Interests: cell death; inflammation; innate immunity; extracellular vesicles; extracellular traps; autoimmune disease
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Autoimmune diseases (ADs) present a significant global health burden, where the limitations of current therapies highlight a critical need for deeper mechanistic insights. This Special Issue aims to catalyze progress by highlighting the fundamental biomolecular processes driving pathogenesis. By bridging knowledge gaps in molecular biology, we seek to inspire the development of next-generation, targeted therapeutic strategies.
This Special Issue fosters a dialogue between fundamental discovery and molecularly defined clinical applications. We prioritize studies employing mechanistic biochemistry, structural/functional assays, and multi-omics to identify the biomolecular drivers of immune tolerance breakdown. Submissions should emphasize key molecular players, including genomic/epigenetic regulators (gene function, non-coding RNAs, and epigenetic modifications), protein dynamics (post-translational modifications and protein complex assembly), metabolic/lipid signaling (metabolites and lipids driving pathogenic cellular phenotypes), and complex entities (mechanistic insights into extracellular vesicles and NET-associated components). Our goal is to map dysregulated pathways and define biomarkers with clear biological rationales, directly aligning with the journal's focus on the structure and function of biologically active molecules.
We invite original research and reviews, prioritizing studies that evaluate therapeutic concepts through target- and pathway-level validation (e.g., investigating the molecular mechanisms of action of biological treatments). Key research areas include the following:
(1) Molecular Triggers: Genetic and epigenetic initiation of autoimmunity.
(2) Pathogenic Signaling: Biochemical mapping of dysregulated T and B cell pathways.
(3) Innate Coordination: Molecular roles of macrophages and dendritic cells.
(4) Inflammatory Mediators: Mechanistic drivers, including cytokines and autoantibodies.
(5) Molecular Therapeutics: Small molecules and immunotherapies centered on target-level validation and biomarker stratification.
Submissions must provide biochemical or molecular mechanistic insight. Purely epidemiological or clinical outcome studies lacking significant biomolecular depth are out of scope.
Dr. Ming-Lin Liu
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomolecules is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- autoimmune diseases
- genetic and epigenetic
- immune tolerance
- T and B cell pathways
- cytokines
- molecular therapeutics
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