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Molecular Targets and Immunotherapy for Autoimmune Diseases

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 2249

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110-1010, USA
Interests: immunology; autoimmunity; T1D; mucosal immunology; T cell biology; innate immunity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Autoimmune diseases are chronic pathological conditions resulting from a dysregulated immune response that fails to recognize self-antigens. Genetic predisposition and environmental factors contribute to the initiation of autoimmunity, ultimately leading to long-term tissue destruction. Conventional treatments of autoimmune diseases often rely on suppressing the general immune functions to control inflammation. However, these approaches are not entirely successful as non-selective immune suppression leads to inadvertent side effects, particularly the risk of developing infection. Recent advancements in genetic engineering tools resulted in the development of more targeted immunotherapies, such as cytokine-based (anti-TNFa, IL1b, IL6, and IL-17), cell-targeted therapies (anti-CD20 mAb, CTLA4-IgG1, etc.), and small-molecule inhibitors (JAK1/2/3, Tyk2, and BTK). Currently, antigen-specific immunotherapies utilizing more specific CAR T cells are beginning to emerge; however, their efficacy and long-term safety in a heterogenous population remains to be determined.

In this Special Issue, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiological mechanisms of autoimmune diseases. We welcome manuscripts that address the deeper signaling pathways with the purpose of identifying novel molecular targets in autoimmune diseases. In this Special Issue, we give special emphasis to emerging targeted immunotherapies that can provide effective, safe, and long-term immune tolerance. We encourage the submission of review articles as well as original research papers.

Dr. Neetu Srivastava
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • autoimmunity
  • autoimmune diseases
  • immunotherapy
  • signaling pathway
  • molecular targets
  • antibody
  • T cells
  • B cells

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

25 pages, 1542 KiB  
Review
Development of Anti-Inflammatory Agents Utilizing DC-SIGN Mediated IL-10 Secretion in Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Disorders: Bridging Veterinary and Human Health
by Hayeon Baek, Seung-Woo Yang, Seulki Kim, Yunseok Lee, Hwi Park, Min Park, Byung-Ju Jeon, Hanwool Park, Han-Sung Hwang, Joon-Young Kim, Jung-Hyun Kim and Young-Sun Kang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 2329; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26052329 - 5 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1426
Abstract
DC-SIGN (dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin) is a C-type lectin receptor expressed on dendritic cells and M2 macrophages, playing a key role in immune regulation and pathogen recognition. Its ability to mediate anti-inflammatory effects by interacting with specific ligands triggers pathways that [...] Read more.
DC-SIGN (dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin) is a C-type lectin receptor expressed on dendritic cells and M2 macrophages, playing a key role in immune regulation and pathogen recognition. Its ability to mediate anti-inflammatory effects by interacting with specific ligands triggers pathways that suppress pro-inflammatory responses and promote tissue repair, making it a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. DC-SIGN homologs in various animal species share structural similarities and perform comparable immune functions, offering valuable insights into its broader application across species. By recognizing carbohydrate ligands on pathogens, DC-SIGN facilitates immune modulation, which can be harnessed for developing therapies aimed at controlling inflammation. In veterinary medicine, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, represent significant challenges, and the anti-inflammatory properties of DC-SIGN could provide new therapeutic options to improve disease management and enhance animal health. Future investigations should focus on the structural and functional analysis of DC-SIGN homologs in various species, as well as the development of preclinical models to translate these findings into clinical interventions bridging veterinary and human health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Targets and Immunotherapy for Autoimmune Diseases)
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