Immunopathology and Immunosenescence

Dear Colleagues,

Advances in immunology have led to a greater understanding of the human immune response, and of its role in health and disease, although some aspects still need to be clarified. Two concern immunopathology and immunosenescence. Immunopathology refers to the damage to the self, caused by a hyper-reactive immune system in response to normal stimuli, and contributes to the mechanisms of various human diseases. Conversely, the reduction in the ability to trigger immune responses effective against infections and vaccinations, observed not only in older people, but also during some infections and some therapeutic treatments, is called immunosenescence. The study of immunopathology has been separated from the study of immunosenescence, but it is becoming clear that there might be a close relationship between them. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are immunocompromised, and several data suggest that premature ageing of the immune system contributes to the pathogenesis of RA. Furthermore, the chronic immune stimulation characteristic of RA can itself age the immune system. On the other hand, the interaction between immunosenescence and its hallmark infllamm-ageing, i.e., an immunopathological response, has been hypothesized to contribute to the cytokine storm in older patients affected by COVID-19 as well as to age-related diseases. This Topical Collection will provide an up-to-date overview, gathering research or review manuscripts addressing processes that mechanistically participate to induce immunopathology and/or immunosenescence. Thus, papers discussing the mechanisms and the molecular pathways able to affect immune cell responses, considering the role of environment and lifestyle, genetics and age, as well as sex and gender as drivers are welcome. Studies on molecular, cellular and blood biomarkers are also welcome.

Prof. Dr. Calogero Caruso
Prof. Dr. Giuseppina Candore
Dr. Anna Aiello
Dr. Giulia Accardi
Collection Editors

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