Role of HLA (Human Leucocyte Antigen) in Human Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

The scope of this Special Issue, titled "Role of HLA (Human Leucocyte Antigen) in Human Diseases", for the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS) should focus on exploring the molecular mechanisms and biomolecular aspects of HLA in the context of various human diseases. Given that the IJMS is a molecular science journal, this Special Issue should emphasize studies that bridge the clinical relevance of HLA with experimental data, molecular analyses, and in vitro or in vivo models.

Key Areas to Consider

1. Molecular Mechanisms of HLA in Disease

• Studies that explore how HLA molecules influence immune responses at the molecular level.
• Investigations into the role of HLA in autoimmune diseases, cancers, and infectious diseases, emphasizing the molecular interactions, signaling pathways, and genetic factors involved.
• Mechanisms of HLA-mediated antigen presentation and how they influence the immune system in various pathological conditions.

• Biomolecular studies examining the relationship between specific HLA genotypes and susceptibility to diseases (e.g., autoimmune disorders, viral infections, or transplant rejection).
• Molecular characterization of HLA gene variants and their functional implications in disease predisposition.

• Molecular studies exploring how HLA plays a role in tumor immune evasion, antigen presentation, and cancer immunotherapy.
• Research into the interaction between HLA molecules and immune checkpoint inhibitors, and their potential in cancer treatment.

• Exploration of HLA-mediated immune responses to infections (e.g., HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis), with an emphasis on the molecular interactions between HLA molecules and pathogens.
• Studies investigating how HLA influences the immune control of infections at the molecular level.

• Development and validation of molecular tools and biomarkers based on HLA for early diagnosis or disease prognosis.
• Novel HLA-based therapeutic strategies, including personalized medicine and targeted therapies.

• Molecular studies using cell-based or animal models to dissect HLA function and its role in disease mechanisms.
• Use of molecular biology techniques (e.g., CRISPR, RNA sequencing, and proteomics) to study the function and regulation of HLA molecules in disease models.

• Insights into how HLA molecules regulate immune tolerance, autoimmunity, and inflammatory responses at the molecular level.
• Molecular studies of HLA's involvement in immune checkpoint pathways and its implications for immunotherapy.

Exclusion Criteria

• Pure clinical studies: While clinical data are relevant, studies that do not integrate molecular or experimental approaches are not suitable for this Special Issue.
• Pure model studies without biomolecular analysis: Studies based purely on model organisms or theoretical aspects of HLA without biomolecular experiments should be avoided, unless they explicitly include molecular or experimental data (e.g., gene editing, proteomics, or molecular profiling).

This Special Issue will be dedicated to molecular and biomolecular studies that provide new insights into the functions of HLA in human diseases, focusing on the underlying mechanisms, diagnostic potential, and therapeutic applications. Studies should integrate clinical relevance with molecular experiments to ensure alignment with the scope of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Prof. Dr. Jeane Eliete Laguila Visentainer
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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