Host–Pathogen Interactions and Immune Responses
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cellular Immunology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 March 2026 | Viewed by 9
Special Issue Editor
Interests: lung pathogens (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. bovis, Mycobacterium immunogenum, Mycobacterium abscessus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa); virulence factors; antigen discovery; PAHs and AHR signaling; DC-T cell Interaction; development of therapeutics; antibiotic resistance (ESKAPE pathogens); small extracellular vesicles (exosomes); Immunoproteomics of microbial pathogens; novel drug targets/vaccine development
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Host–pathogen interactions are a central theme in understanding infectious disease biology, and this Special Issue explores their complexity through a multidisciplinary lens. We welcome studies examining how viruses, fungi, parasites, and bacteria—including multidrug-resistant and environmental mycobacterial strains—affect host cellular processes and immune defenses.
Emphasis is placed on the alarming rise in antimicrobial resistance and the survival strategies of persistent pathogens, including their use of antioxidant systems such as catalases. The role of oxidative stress in shaping infection outcomes will also be explored. Additionally, we invite research into exosomes and other extracellular vesicles as mediators of immune signaling, pathogen communication, and disease progression. Environmental pollutants, especially polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are emerging as influential stressors that can modulate host–pathogen dynamics and immune responses, further complicating disease ecology.
This Special Issue seeks submissions from immunology, microbiology, cell biology, systems biology, toxicology, and computational science, aiming to bridge basic research with translational insights. By highlighting molecular mechanisms and environmental influences, we hope to inspire new diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies to combat infections within complex biological and ecological contexts.
Dr. Harish Chandra
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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
- multidrug-resistant bacteria
- environmental mycobacteria
- exosomes
- oxidative stress
- catalases
- antimicrobial resistance
- polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- cellular signaling
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
