Plasmodesmata-Mediated Cell Communication

Dear Colleagues,

Plasmodesmata (PD) are microscopic channels that directly connect the cytoplasm of adjacent plant cells to each other. They are critical players controlling intercellular transport, from small molecules such as sugars and ions, to macromolecules including proteins and RNAs that act as signals between particular cells during plant development, reproduction, and adaptation to abiotic and biotic stresses. Multiple pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses exploit and modulate PD to establish infection in plants. In this regard, several lines of evidence suggest that the rapid modulation of PD is one of the important aspects of plant immunity, especially during single-cell immune response to release defense signals, prevent pathogen spreading, and create a hostile environment for the invading pathogens. Although numerous host proteins involved in transport through PD during cell signaling as well as during pathogen infection have been identified, the mechanisms by which they regulate PD permeability are just beginning to emerge. This Special Issue of Cells aims to improve our understanding of topics including how cellular and pathogen-derived factors modulate PD during plant development and morphogenesis, interactions with pathogens, and development of plant immunity.

Prof. Vitaly Citovsky
Dr. Phu Tri Tran
Guest Editors

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. 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.